Considering ortho surgeons do not perform the thermal capsular shrinkage, and the fact that if it fails, the only alternatives are radical reconstruction of the surgery, can patients move forward with a class action lawsuit against this procedure?

I feel scarred for life, and I'm not able to use my right arm anymore. I never had any dislocations before the thermal capsular shrinkage. Only intermittent shoulder pain. After the surgery, I've had three dislocations and another surgery. As of right now I'm contemplating a radical surgery to put my shoulder back together.

What about all of the people who underwent thermal capsular shrinkage? What have they done?

I feel sick. I feel maimed.

I know what you mean about things going wrong, scrapper. It seems that capsular shift is a much, much better alternative to thermal capsular shrinkage. I really have no idea why people continue doing it. Seems like a lazy approach to a serious problem.

You are probably better off finding a malpractice lawyer to discuss that. I don't know what the time limits are, but see what they tell you. In some states, you have to give them a tort notice within six months of the incident/procedure.

The orthos I work with say that while the thermal shrinkage worked for some but not others years ago when they did them, it has been discontinued for obvious reasons. I don't know anyone around me who is still doing them...

Brian

I had ant/pos capsulorrhaphy with 3 anchors, and a slap repair about 11 weeks ago for multi directional instability. I am 44, very active and have very loose joints. My OS said that he does not do thermal shrinkage period, because of the failure rate, even though it is a lot easier for him. He knows that I am a very active person and would not have been happy with the results. My recovery is considerably longer than if I had had the thermal, but in the long run I would not have been able to do the thngs I loved. It took about 8 months but I finally got a fantastic orthopedic surgeon. He was very thorough and explained everything. I exhausted all other avenues of treatment, PT, cortisone inj, meds... before I decided on the surgery. I researched my particular injuries and the surgical options to death prior to the actual repair. I was told the damage in my shoulder would have never healed without surgery. My best advice to people even considering any shoulder surgery is research, ask a million questions, talk to others tha your surgeon operated on.. I cannot imagine how I would be dealing with mine if I did not have a great surgeon..

I am wondering if you could find another ortho (a fantastic one) and see if there are any remedies to repair the repair. You might try contacting someone (state agency) from the state you live in regarding any legal action related to the original surgery.

Good luck, I hope you find some answers.

Here is a website I stumbled upon..http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/33/9/1321