Treatment of dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability using radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy

Objective-To report clinical findings and outcome in dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability (MST) treated with radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy (RITC). Study Design-Retrospective study. Animals-Dogs (n=43) with MST. Methods-Medical records from consecutive cases with MST based on orthopedic examination, palpation of shoulder abduction angles, and arthroscopic findings were used to determine clinical findings and long-term (>= 1 year) outcome of RITC. Results-Forty-three dogs met the criteria for inclusion; 2 dogs had bilateral MST. The most common clinical findings were chronic unilateral weight-bearing lameness, large (> 45) shoulder abduction angles, and spinatus muscle atrophy in the affected limb. Mean preoperative abduction angle (50.7 degrees +/- 4.8 degrees) in affected shoulders was significantly larger than in the unaffected shoulders (32.5 degrees +/- 2.1 degrees). Mean postoperative abduction angle in affected shoulders was not significantly different from unaffected shoulders when measured immediately, 8, 16-20 weeks, and similar to 1 year after surgery. Follow-up evaluation ranged from 1 to 6.2 years. RITC treatment resulted in improved clinical function in 40 cases (93%) with 34 cases (79%) considered excellent; 3 cases (7%) were considered failures. Conclusions-RITC was a safe and effective method of treatment of MST in most dogs studied. Clinical Relevance-RTTC can be considered as a viable option for Surgical treatment of selected cases of MST in dogs. (c) Copyright 2005 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.