Loose shoulder (instability) is a condition that occurs when the tissue that forms a capsule around the shoulder joint stretches and can no longer keep the ball of the humerus (the top of the arm bone) within the shoulder joint or socket. Typically this condition is caused by repetitive stress such as sports like baseball, volleyball or even swimming. Shoulder instability is one of the more challenging disorders that orthopedic surgeons treat.
Arthroscopic capsular plication is a minimally invasive orthopedic procedure designed to relieve pain and loss of shoulder stability for patients with a loose shoulder. A radio frequency or RF probe is inserted into the shoulder and used to stimulate the tissue capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint, causing the tissue around the shoulder to contract and thereby tightening the shoulder joint.
Once the surgeon creates a minimally invasive incision, the physician uses a probe to heat and stimulate the tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. This stimulation causes the tissue to contract. The surgeon will stimulate only the portions of the capsule that are necessary to provide sufficient tightness in the joint.