title: Subscapularis lengthening in shoulder arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the technique and outcome of subscapularis (SSC) lengthening in shoulder arthroplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  When external rotation measures less than 20 degrees, a coronal subscapularis lengthening is performed. This utilizes the interval between the anterior shoulder capsule and subscapularis to titrate the correct amount of anatomic length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average preoperative passive ER was -2 degrees. Average postoperative ER was 48 degrees. Belly press was graded as normal in 13 pts, mild in 12 pts, and poor in 2 pts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subscapularis tendon lengthening provides a large surface area for tendon healing and allows anatomic length to be restored. Subscapularis lengthening may preserve a better length-tension relationship of the SSC muscle in shoulders with significant IR contracture undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twigg
authors.forename: Brice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blatz
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sturonas-Brown
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult