Management and Surgical Options for Articular Defects in the Shoulder

Clin Sports Med. 2017 Jul;36(3):549-572. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2017.02.009. Epub 2017 Mar 11.

Abstract

Isolated, full-thickness chondral lesions of the glenohumeral joint are a significant pathology encountered by laborers, athletes, and the elderly. A thorough history should be obtained in any patient presenting to the office with shoulder pain and concern for the etiology being an articular cartilage defect. The first-line imaging should include plain radiographs of the glenohumeral joint; MRI and CT can be ordered as necessary to provide greater detail. Typically, the initial treatment of glenohumeral chondral disease is nonsurgical; however, many surgical treatment options have been refined to provide pain relief, create reparative tissue, or restore the articular surface.

Keywords: Articular; Autologous chondrocyte implantation; Cartilage; Chondral; Defects; Glenohumeral; Osteochondral autograft; Shoulder.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty
  • Arthroscopy
  • Cartilage Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cartilage Diseases / surgery
  • Cartilage Diseases / therapy*
  • Cartilage, Articular / injuries*
  • Cartilage, Articular / surgery*
  • Chondrocytes / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma
  • Shoulder / anatomy & histology
  • Shoulder / surgery*
  • Shoulder Injuries / diagnosis
  • Shoulder Injuries / surgery
  • Shoulder Injuries / therapy*
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Transplantation, Homologous