Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Anterior Capsular Reconstruction with Human Dermal Allograft for Irreparable Subscapularis Tears
Published on: May 9, 2025
Is arthroscopic remplissage a tenodesis or capsulomyodesis? An anatomic study
Alexandre Lädermann1,2,3, Paolo Arrigoni4, Johannes Barth5
1Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, La Tour Hospital, Rue J.-D. Maillard 3, 1217, Meyrin, Switzerland. Alexandre.laedermann@gmail.com.
Purpose:
Arthroscopic remplissage of a Hill-Sachs lesion is classically described as a capsulotenodesis of the infraspinatus within the posterolateral humeral head. The aim of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the anatomic relationship between the position of anchors and sutures placed for remplissage and the infraspinatus and teres minor. The hypothesis was that remplissage actually corresponds to a capsulomyodesis of the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles.
Methods:
A two-anchor arthroscopic remplissage was performed followed by open dissection of ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders. The exit point of sutures related to muscle-tendon unit as well as the distance between the anchors and the rotator cuff was measured.
Results:
The superior sutures were localized generally in the infraspinatus, near the musculotendinous junction. The inferior sutures passed through the teres minor muscle in seven of ten cases. The distance between the superior and inferior anchors and the posterolateral greater tuberosity was 14 ± 2 and 12 ± 3 mm, respectively.
Conclusions:
Arthroscopic remplissage is a capsulomyodesis of infraspinatus and teres minor rather than a capsulotenodesis of the infraspinatus alone as previously believed. Muscular damage may explain posterosuperior pain observed in patients who underwent remplissage.
