Orthopaedic Surgery

Answer 4 Rotator cuff strengthening exercises. This patient has multidirectional instability and atraumatic instability. She needs aggressive rehabilitation for at least 3 to 6 months before ever considering surgical intervention. Rotator cuff strengthening is the mainstay of physical therapy efforts. Thermal capsulorrhaphy has recently been shown to have a high risk of recurrent instability in this population.2 These patients rarely have a Bankart tear. Ultrasonography and other imaging modalities play a very limited role in patients with multidirectional instability. REFERENCE 2. Sperling JW, Anderson K, McCarty EC, Warren RF. Complications of thermal capsulorrhaphy. Instr Course Lect 2001;50:37-41. Click here to return to the questions

Hospital Physician     JCOM     Seminars in Medical Practice Hospital Physician Board Review Manuals About TWC    Subscribe    Contact TWC    Home    Search   Site Map Copyright © 2009, Turner White Communications Updated 1/04/08 • kkj