Histologic evaluation of the glenohumeral joint capsule after radiofrequency capsular shrinkage for atraumatic instability.

We evaluated histologically 10 biopsy specimens taken preoperatively from the anterior-inferior glenohumeral ligament from patients with atraumatic instability who had undergone radiofrequency capsular shrinkage, 10 taken immediately postoperatively, and 13 taken before revision. The synovial and subsynovial layers returned to normal histology in biopsy specimens taken from 6 months onwards. Collagen bundles in the fibrous layer continued to have a reparative histology during the period of the study (up to 37 months).