Early arthroscopic release in refractory shoulder stiffness

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Frozen shoulder (idiopathic adhesive capsulitis) presents a diagnostic challenge in shoulder surgery.
• Spontaneous recovery is common within two years, but treatments aim to expedite this process.
• Conservative physical therapy often fails to restore motion after six months in refractory cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of arthroscopic capsular release for refractory frozen shoulder.
• To assess the impact of arthroscopic capsular release on pain, function, and range of motion.
• To determine the time to recovery and return to work after the procedure.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 36 patients with refractory frozen shoulder who failed conservative therapy.
• Patients underwent arthroscopic capsular release between November 1997 and October 1999.
• Preoperative and postoperative assessments included pain, function, range of motion, and Constant scores.

Main Results:

• Arthroscopic capsular release significantly improved range of motion and provided substantial pain relief in all patients.
• The median Constant score improved from 29 to 66 post-surgery.
• 75% of patients returned to work within a mean of 8 weeks, with no procedural complications reported.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic capsular release is a safe and effective treatment for refractory shoulder stiffness.
• The procedure can significantly shorten the recovery duration for patients with frozen shoulder.
• This surgical intervention offers a valuable option for managing persistent shoulder stiffness unresponsive to conservative care.