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Updated: Jun 7, 2025
Anterior Capsular Reconstruction with Human Dermal Allograft for Irreparable Subscapularis Tears
Published on: May 9, 2025
Subscapularis Muscle Radiographic Integrity and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Anatomic Glenoid
Jose Castillo de la Peña1, Peter N Chalmers2, Jie Ma3
1Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy and Joint Preservation, Ortomove, Mexico City, Mexico.
Background:
Shoulder stabilization surgery has evolved over time, and bony augmentation procedures on the glenoid side are being performed more often. The Latarjet procedure modifies subscapularis anatomy because the conjoined tendon divides the subscapularis muscle fibers through a split/takedown, which has structural and functional implications. Arthroscopic anatomic glenoid reconstruction (AAGR) re-creates anatomy. This technique uses the Halifax portal to deploy and fix a distal tibial allograft (DTA) through the rotator interval, thus preserving the subscapularis anatomy.
Purpose/Hypothesis:
The purpose was to analyze the radiographic properties of the subscapularis muscle after AAGR. It was hypothesized that the subscapularis muscle structure remains preserved postoperatively.
Study Design:
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods:
A retrospective review was performed comprising a consecutive series of patients treated with AAGR with DTA between November 2012 and April 2021 for traumatic anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. Patients were excluded if they had posterior instability, glenoid fracture, missing pre- or postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, or only CT arthrogram available. Radiographic variables measured on CT scans included estimates of subscapularis muscle volume, subscapularis/infraspinatus muscle ratio, and fatty infiltration according to the Goutallier classification. Pre- and postoperative Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index scores were collected as a secondary outcome of this study.
Results:
Ninety-three patients were included in the study with a clinical follow-up of 2.3 ± 1.5 years (mean ± SD). The subscapularis volume increased from 185.91 ± 45.85 mL preoperatively to 194.1 ± 49.0 mL postoperatively (P = .006). The subscapularis to infraspinatus muscle ratio showed a significant increase from 0.96 ± 0.27 to 1.05 ± 0.30 after surgery (P = .002). All patients had a Goutallier stage of 0 before and after surgery. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability scores showed a significant improvement from 64.8 ± 15.5 preoperatively to 28.2 ± 24.0 postoperatively (P < .001).
Conclusion:
Patients who undergo AAGR with DTA for traumatic shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss have a preserved subscapularis muscle volume with no fatty infiltration, while showing a significant improvement in clinical outcomes.
