Abstract
Glenohumeral chondrolysis is a devastating condition characterized by the rapid dissolution of glenohumeral cartilage and resultant joint destruction. Excessive intra-articular use of thermal heat, suture anchors that are prominent or loose, and the use of an intra-articular pain pump (IAPP) delivering local anesthetics have all been implicated as causative factors. Between November 2007 and February 2010, 29 patients presented with glenohumeral chondrolysis related to one or more of the causative factors noted above. Seventeen patients have been followed since their initial presentation, with the remainder presenting for evaluation only, at the suggestion of their attorneys. Of those 17 patients, 7 were male and mean age at the time of their index surgery was 28.6 years (range 15-55 years). Two patients developed chondrolysis as a result of prominent suture anchors and 15 as a result of an IAPP delivering bupivacaine. Two patients underwent placement of an IAPP following closed manipulation for adhesive capsulitis and 13 underwent IAPP placement following arthroscopic labrum repair or capsular plication using one to seven suture anchors. Onset of symptoms related to chondrolysis, such as increased pain, stiffness and crepitation, occurred at a mean 8 months (range 1-32 months) following the index procedure. Twelve of the 17 patients underwent one or more additional arthroscopic procedure, typically for debridement and chondroplasty, and in some cases, capsular release. A loose suture anchor was found in one joint at arthroscopy, which was removed. Eleven patients had radiographs documenting joint space obliteration at most recent follow-up or at the time of prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty. At most recent follow-up, 7 patients had undergone 3 total shoulder replacements and 4 humeral head resurfacing procedures. Four other patients were contemplating prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty. For those undergoing shoulder replacement, range of motion recovered modestly so that active forward elevation improved from 111° to 137° (p<0.05) and active abduction improved from 99° to 123° (p<0.05). Seven of the 12 patients presenting for evaluation only had also undergone prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty elsewhere by the time of their presentation, so that overall, 14 of 29 patients had undergone their first prosthetic shoulder replacement for chondrolysis within 25 months (range 9-54 months) of their index procedure. The onset of chondrolysis in two patients following the use of an IAPP after closed manipulation has not been reported previously. Post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL) is a devastating condition that strikes young patients and frequently requires shoulder replacement surgery. The use of an intra-articular pain pump delivering local anesthetics is the principal causative factor for glenohumeral chondrolysis in most patients and should be abandoned.
