Subscapularis dysfunction following anterior surgical approaches to the shoulder

Abstract

Subscapularis dysfunction following open surgical exposure of the glenohumeral joint has recently received attention. Clinical studies, in particular those that have investigated the results after open shoulder stabilization or shoulder replacement surgery, indicate that anterior approaches using different subscapularis tendon take-down or incision techniques may impair subscapularis recovery and can negatively influence the final clinical outcome. This review article will focus on the potential pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical impact of this more and more recognized condition and summarizes the currently available literature.