subject: Precipitating Factors For Shoulder Chondrolysis [print this page] There is a lot of medical literature devoted to examining the link between chondrolysis and the intra articular placement of pain medication pumps used after shoulder surgery. What are some of the precipitating factors to consider? One interesting study is called, Postsurgical chondrolysis of the shoulder by Saltzman M, Mercer D, Bertelsen A, Warme W, and Matsen F. - Orthopedics. 2009 March 32(3):215.
Here is an excerpt: There are multiple reports in the literature of chondrolysis following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Although the etiology of these cases is not known for certain, there has been speculation that radiofrequency devices, young patient age, instability surgery, intra-articular pain pumps, and type of anesthetic may be precipitating factors. This article describes a case of a 37-year-old law enforcement officer who injured both shoulders and ultimately underwent nearly identical bilateral procedures: arthroscopic superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) repair, Bankart repair, capsulorrhaphy, acromioplasty, and distal clavicle excision. Intra-articular pain catheters were placed following both procedures, but the right-sided catheter never functioned properly, as evidenced by continuous leakage outside of her body until it was removed. Subsequently she had an arthroscopic lysis of adhesions done for residual stiffness, in which the left humeral head and glenoid cavity were noted to be completely devoid of articular cartilage. Over the ensuing months, multiple cortisone injections, 5 viscosupplementation injections, physical therapy, and narcotics all failed to relieve her left shoulder pain. Radiographs showed significant left glenohumeral joint space narrowing and a normal-appearing joint space on the right. Our impression was postsurgical chondrolysis of the left shoulder. The patient has recently undergone humeral hemiarthroplasty with nonprosthetic glenoid arthroplasty. This case differs from others reported in the literature in that nearly identical bilateral procedures were performed by the same surgeon, yet chondrolysis only developed on the side that had a functioning postoperative pain catheter.
Another interesting study is called, Glenohumeral Chondrolysis After Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of Potential Contributors and Causal Pathways by CDR Daniel J. Solomon, M.D., MC, USNad, Maryam Navaie, Dr.P.H.e, CDR Eric T. Stedje-Larsen, M.D., MC, USNb, Jessica C. Smith, B.A.e, CDR Matthew T. Provencher, M.D., MC, USNacd - Volume 25, Issue 11, Pages 1329-1342 (November 2009) - Anesthesiology clinics
Here is an excerpt: Purpose - This systematic review provides (1) a synthesis of existing clinical evidence that helps identify factors associated with the development of glenohumeral chondrolysis after arthroscopy (PAGCL), (2) a consolidated conceptualization of potential causal pathways that elucidate proposed mechanisms leading to PAGCL, and (3) a summary of implications for practice, policy, and future research.
Results - The majority of studies (61%) focused on surgical factors correlated with PAGCL, and most were laboratory based (n = 21). Publications involving human subjects were descriptive case reports (n = 15), not epidemiologic studies. A total of 88 patients (91 shoulder surgeries) with PAGCL were identified in case reports. The majority of patients (55%) was male, and the mean age was 27.9 years (range, 13.1 to 64 years). Among patients, 68% (n = 53) had implants/anchors, 67% (n = 59) received local anesthetics through a pain pump, and 45% (n = 41) had surgeries involving radiofrequency devices. The causal pathways to PAGCL likely involve initiating and secondary cartilage injury due to mechanical, thermal, or chemical events. The result is a cascade of interactive cellular responses that may include inflammation and chondrocyte apoptosis causing disturbance of cellular metabolism with subsequent loss of the gliding surface, congruity, and synovial fluid, leading to increased friction and accelerated wear that ultimately yield PAGCL.
Conclusions - The literature is limited to correlates, rather than true risk factors, for PAGCL. Well-designed epidemiologic studies that examine various exposures in relation to health outcomes, while controlling for potential confounders, are needed to determine relative risks that allow causal inference, thereby facilitating sound practice and policy decision making.
If you found either of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety. We all owe a debt of gratitude to these researchers.
