title: Arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy as treatment for the unstable paralytic shoulder.
abstract: Patients who present with global capsular laxity and glenohumeral instability frequently can be treated successfully with shoulder girdle musculature strengthening exercises and activity modification. When such injury is caused by a paralytic shoulder, a rehabilitation program may not be a viable treatment option. Presented in this article are 3 patients with global capsular laxity and glenohumeral instability as a result of shoulder paralysis. We also describe an arthroscopic technique of thermal capsulorrhaphy. In our experience, arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy used to treat global capsular laxity and glenohumeral instability resulting from a paralytic shoulder has decreased symptoms of shoulder instability and has significantly reduced shoulder pain.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine/Shoulder Service, The Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fealy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khazzam
authors.forename: Joshua S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dines
authors.forename: Edward V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D013537:Sutures