The Science of PAGCL

Prognosis/Treatment

PAGCL is degenerative and will nearly always result in the deterioration of all of the cartilage in the shoulder joint resulting in bone on bone contact and significant pain and loss of use.

Some doctors may treat PAGCL with anti-inflammatory medications. Doctors also sometimes recommend shoulder joint replacement surgery, which is known as Arthoplasty. Arthoplasty involves the replacement of the shoulder joint with artificial parts made of plastic or metal. Full shoulder replacement may also be performed which involves the replacement of the cuplike bone in the front of the shoulder blade called the glenoid as well as the top of the arm bone known as the humeral head.

Arthroscopy is minimally invasive, and may often be performed with local anesthesia. Shoulder replacement a more complex procedure which takes several hours and requires a hospital stay of several nights.

Physical therapy will be required after surgery which involves performing exercises with a therapist and at home for several months. Additional surgery involves risks which include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Post-Operative Infection
• Nerve injury
• Blood vessel injury
• Dislocation
• Loosening of the artificial joint from the natural bone

Links to Literature regarding PAGCL

Postarthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis, Brent P. Hansen, DO, Charles L. Beck, MD, Elizabeth P. Beck, RN and Robert W. Townsley, PA-C, The American Journal of Sports Medicine 35:1628-1634 (2007).  Abstract avaiable Here

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