Arthroscopic Management Strategies for Glenohumeral Articular Cartilage Lesions and Defects

Glenoid articular cartilage lesions are a source of shoulder pain and can occur in the setting of glenohumeral instability and degenerative shoulder disease. Glenolabral articular disruption lesions have been reported to be associated with worse outcomes after arthroscopic repair of labral tears. There are relatively few published studies evaluating outcomes after surgical treatment of glenoid articular lesions; however, it is generally accepted that management should consist of restoring the glenoid articular surface, minimizing exposed articular defect, and re-establishing capsulolabral integrity to achieve stability. We present arthroscopic strategies to manage these glenoid articular defects through debridement, abrasion, microfracture, capsulolabral advancement and labral interposition.