Arthroscopic Posterior-Inferior Capsular Release in the Treatment of Overhead Athletes

摘要

In this article, we present our technique for arthroscopic posterior-inferior capsular release and report the results of applying this technique in a population of athletes with symptomatic glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) that was unresponsive to nonoperative treatment and was preventing them from returning to sport. Fifteen overhead athletes met the inclusion criteria. Two were lost to follow-up. Of the 13 remaining, 6 underwent isolated posterior-inferior capsular releases, and 7 had concomitant procedures. Before and after surgery, patients completed an activity questionnaire, which included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form. Passive internal rotation in the scapular plane was measured with a bubble goniometer.