Arthroscopic debridement of the shoulder for osteoarthritis.

Twenty-five patients underwent arthroscopic debridement to treat early glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The group consisted of 19 men and 6 women with an average age of 46 years (range, 27 to 72 years.) The operative procedure consisted of lavage of the glenohumeral joint, debridement of labral tears and chondral lesions, loose body removal, and partial synovectomy and subacromial bursectomy. Follow-up averaged 34 months, with a range of 12 to 63 months. Overall, results were rated as excellent in 2 patients (8%), good in 19 patients (72%), and unsatisfactory in 5 (20%). Two patients had complete relief of pain, 18 patients had only occasional mild pain, and 5 had moderate to severe pain postoperatively. Of the 12 patients with marked preoperative stiffness, 10 (83%) had improvement in range of motion postoperatively. Arthroscopic debridement is a reasonable approach for treating early glenohumeral osteoarthritis that has failed to respond to nonoperative treatment, in which the humeral head and glenoid remain concentric, and where there is still a visible joint space on an axillary radiograph. The procedure is not recommended when there is severe joint incongruity or large osteophytes.