Abstract
Glenohumeral chondrolysis is a rare but devastating complication that can occur after
shoulder arthroscopy and thermal capsulorrhaphy. We retrospectively reviewed the medical
records and imaging studies of 8 patients in whom glenohumeral chondrolysis developed
after shoulder arthroscopy in which thermal energy was used. Of the 8 patients, 5
had previous thermal capsulorrhaphy for the diagnosis of instability. Two patients
were diagnosed with instability with associated labral tears and underwent labral
repair with thermal capsular shrinkage. One patient was diagnosed with a labral tear
and underwent labral debridement with an extensive glenohumeral synovectomy via a
thermal probe. No patients had evidence of chondral damage at their index arthroscopy,
and none received postoperative pain pumps. In all patients, radiographic evidence
of chondrolysis developed and repeat arthroscopy was performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Open surgical stabilization has not been known to have this complication, and it is
speculated that heating of the joint fluid at the time of arthroscopy from any source
plays a role in cartilage death. Further studies are warranted to determine whether
adequate outflow during shoulder arthroscopy where the fluid volume is relatively
small will aid in avoiding complications associated with the use of heat sources.
Key Words
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Article info
Footnotes
Cite this article as: Good CR, Shindle MK, Kelly BT, Wanich T, Warren RF. Glenohumeral chondrolysis after shoulder arthroscopy with thermal capsulorrhaphy. Arthroscopy 2007;23:797.e1-797.e5 [doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2007.03.092].
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Copyright
© 2007 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
