Prospective Evaluation of Thermal Capsulorrhaphy for Shoulder Instability

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Abstract
Background: Thermal shrinkage of capsular tissue has recently been proposed as a means to address the capsular redundancyassociated with shoulder instability. Although this procedure has become very popular, minimal peer-reviewed literature isavailable to justify its widespread use. Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of shoulderinstability. Study Design: This nonrandomized prospective study evaluated the indications and results of thermal capsulorrhaphy in 84shoulders with an average follow-up of 38 months. Methods: Patients were divided into three clinical subgroups: traumatic anterior dislocation (acute or recurrent), recurrent anterioranterior/inferior subluxation without prior dislocation, and multidirectional instability. Patients underwent arthroscopic thermalcapsulorrhaphy after initial assessment, radiographs, and failure of a minimum of 3 months of nonoperative rehabilitation. Results: Outcome measures included pain, recurrent instability, return to work/sports, and the American Shoulder and ElbowSurgeons (ASES) Shoulder Assessment score. Overall results were excellent in 33 participants (39%), satisfactory in 20 (24%),and unsatisfactory in 31 (37%). Conclusions: The high rate of unsatisfactory overall results (37%), documented with longer follow-up, is of great concern. Theauthors conclude that enthusiasm for thermal capsulorrhaphy should be tempered until further studies document its efficacy.

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