Capacity and compliance of shoulder and elbow joint capsules

摘要

The dangers associated with catastrophic capsule failure during arthroscopic surgery are well-documented (1,2,3). Of main concern is fluid extravasation into surrounding tissues with the resulting complication of a compartment syndrome. This has greater potential of occurring with current arthroscopic procedures using mechanical fluid delivery systems for joint irrigation and capsular distention because of the large flow rates that can be generated in short periods of time. With the increasing numbers of arthrosopic procedures performed, the behavior fo the joints under fluid distention and the conditions that cause capsular failure are of prime importance.