Coverage Decisions for Medical Technologies & Procedures

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Coverage Decisions for Medical Technologies & Procedures

Thermal shrinkage for instability

Coverage decision

L&I does not cover thermal shrinkage for the treatment of shoulder instability or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) laxity.

Published literature has not substantially established the safety or effectiveness of either thermal capsulorrhaphy or thermal shrinkage of the ACL.

Thermal shrinkage procedures use thermal probes to apply heat to lax tissue within a joint. The procedure shrinks the collagen fibers and is intended to reduce joint laxity in order to increase joint stability.

PDF icon Provider Bulletin 04-01 (99 KB PDF).
Thermal Shrinkage for the Treatment of Shoulder Instability and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Laxity technology assessment (88 KB PDF)

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