title: Thermal capsulorrhaphy to treat shoulder instability.
abstract: The contemporary therapeutic approach of glenohumeral instability is directed at the restoration of anatomy. Thermal capsular modification to treat shoulder instability is a relatively recent modality. Early successful clinical applications have led to a wide use of this low demanding technique. Currently, however, the indications for thermal capsulorrhaphy are defined poorly, clinical outcome has not been shown to be superior to conventional stabilization procedures, and long-term effects on joint biology and mechanics are not known. Based on a critical review of the literature and personal clinical experience, the authors conclude that additional experimental and clinical investigations are necessary to add this procedure to the accepted modalities applied for the treatment of shoulder instability.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Shoulder Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, 275 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Jon J P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Warner
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen