Sports medicine and arthroscopy review
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Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis is a devastating, poorly understood, and relatively rare complication. True chondrolysis involves the dissolution of articular cartilage, including the matrix and cellular elements, leading to premature and irreversible articular cartilage loss. Several factors have been implicated in this phenomenon; however, to date, no study has conclusively ascertained the causation. ⋯ To date, several papers have described the phenomenon and the potential associations; however, there is no definitive answer although the use of high-dose bupivacaine as an intra-articular anesthetic seems to be contraindicated. The purpose of this article is to review the basic science regarding chondrolysis and to assess the current literature which focuses on postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, as well as innovative treatment alternatives. It is unlikely that postoperative chondrolysis will be clearly understood until controlled studies are available, of which there are currently none.