An Arthroscopic Technique for Release of the Middle Glenohumeral Ligament and the Effect on External Rotation of the Shoulder

C Cody Tipton; Brian B Gilmer; Sean Marvil; Sarah Lang; Kaan Unal; Dan Guttmann

doi:10.1016/j.eats.2021.05.013

An Arthroscopic Technique for Release of the Middle Glenohumeral Ligament and the Effect on External Rotation of the Shoulder

Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Aug 17;10(9):e2121-e2125. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2021.05.013. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Authors

C Cody Tipton¹, Brian B Gilmer², Sean Marvil¹, Sarah Lang², Kaan Unal¹, Dan Guttmann¹

Affiliations

¹ Taos Orthopedic Institute, Taos, New Mexico.
² Mammoth Orthopedic Institute, Mammoth Hospital, Mammoth Lakes, California, U.S.A.

Abstract

The middle glenohumeral ligament (MGHL) is well recognized as a primary stabilizer of the shoulder. Its role in shoulder pathologies such as adhesive capsulitis, subscapularis tendon tear, and glenohumeral arthritis is less understood. Biomechanically, the MGHL plays an important role in range of motion, specifically involving normal and pathologic external rotation in less than 45° of abduction. In this Technical Note, we present a technique for arthroscopic release of the MGHL in the setting of a stable shoulder with preoperative loss of external rotation and a patient at risk for postoperative restriction of external rotation.