Prospective evaluation of thermal capsulorrhaphy for shoulder instability: indications and results, two- to five-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Thermal shrinkage of capsular tissue has recently been proposed as a means to address the capsular redundancy associated with shoulder instability. Although this procedure has become very popular, minimal peer-reviewed literature is available to justify its widespread use. PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of shoulder instability. STUDY DESIGN: This nonrandomized prospective study evaluated the indications and results of thermal capsulorrhaphy in 84 shoulders with an average follow-up of 38 months. METHODS: Patients were divided into three clinical subgroups: traumatic anterior dislocation (acute or recurrent), recurrent anterior anterior/inferior subluxation without prior dislocation, and multidirectional instability. Patients underwent arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy 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 Elbow Surgeons (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. The authors conclude that enthusiasm for thermal capsulorrhaphy should be tempered until further studies document its efficacy.