Thermal versus suture treatment of symptomatic capsular laxity

• Published in: Clinics in sports medicine Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 63
• Main Authors: Savoie, 3rd, F H, Field, L D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2000
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Joint Capsule - pathology; Joint Capsule - surgery; Joint Instability - pathology; Joint Instability - surgery; Laser Coagulation - methods; Male; Orthopedics - methods; Prospective Studies; Rotator Cuff - pathology; Rotator Cuff - surgery; Shoulder Joint - pathology; Shoulder Joint - surgery; Sutures; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0278-5919
• DOI: 10.1016/S0278-5919(05)70296-9

This article reviews the clinical results of unipolar thermal capsular shrinkage in 30 patients and compares that group to similar groups previously managed by laser-assisted capsulorrhaphy or by an arthroscopic capsular shift procedure. Patients were evaluated with respect to incidence of recurrent instability, the need for reoperation, and the ability to return to previous levels of activity or sports participation. Patients were rated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on criteria established by Neer. The results of this study suggest that thermal capsulorrhaphy with rotator interval plication is an effective treatment alternative for multidirectional instability, with results comparable to those previously reported with open and arthroscopic procedures.