Arthroscopic laser-assisted capsular shift in the treatment of patients with multidirectional shoulder instability

BACKGROUND: In recent years, various investigators have begun using lasers in the treatment of shoulder instability. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic laser-assisted capsular shift is an effective treatment for patients with multidirectional shoulder instability. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 28 patients (30 shoulders) with multidirectional shoulder instability who were unresponsive to nonoperative management and who had undergone the laser-assisted capsular shift procedure. Twenty-five patients (27 shoulders) with an average follow-up of 28 months were available for review. All patients underwent a physical examination and completed a general questionnaire; the University of California, Los Angeles, shoulder rating scale; the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index; and the Short-Form 36 quality of life index. RESULTS: In 22 shoulders, results of the procedure were considered a success because the patients had no recurrent symptoms and at latest follow-up had required no further operative intervention. In five shoulders, results were considered a failure because of recurrent pain or instability and the need for an open capsular shift procedure. With recurrent instability as a measure of failure, the overall success rate was 81.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results with laser-assisted capsular shift are comparable with the results of other open and arthroscopic techniques in relieving pain and returning athletes to their premorbid function.