Arthroscopic rotator interval closure: effect of sutures on glenohumeral motion and anterior-posterior translation.
BACKGROUND
The effect of arthroscopic rotator interval closure on glenohumeral motion and translation is not well understood, nor is the ideal location or number of sutures required for closure.


OBJECTIVE
The number of arthroscopic rotator interval closure sutures and their placement will have a significant effect on glenohumeral range of motion and anterior-posterior translation.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Using a custom testing apparatus, the authors measured range of motion in 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders; anterior-posterior translation in adduction and neutral rotation was measured in 9. Specimens were initially tested without sutures and then tested after 3 interval closures using a random sequence of (1) an isolated medial suture at the level of the glenoid, (2) an isolated lateral suture 1 cm lateral to the glenoid, or (3) both sutures followed by removal of all sutures.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance demonstrated that interval closure had a significant effect on decreasing flexion (mean, 6 degrees), external rotation (mean, 10 degrees), and anterior translation (mean, 3 mm) of the adducted shoulder. There was no significant difference between the 3 interval closures in any of the tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic interval closure produced significant decreases in range of motion and anterior-posterior translation. The effects of single lateral or medial suture closures were similar to the use of 2 sutures.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the initial effect of arthroscopic rotator interval closure on anterior translation of the shoulder will be similar whether 1 or 2 sutures are used. In vivo studies are necessary to determine if the effect of these 2 methods would be the same over time.
Plausinis
Derek
D
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University for Joint Diseases, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Bravman
Jonathan T
JT
Heywood
Christian
C
Kummer
Frederick J
FJ
Kwon
Young W
YW
Jazrawi
Laith M
LM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques