Adhesive capsulitis: a new management protocol to improve passive range of motion

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Pain Management

Background:

• Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, significantly limits shoulder range of motion.
• Nonoperative treatments are sought to improve outcomes and patient function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of a novel nonoperative treatment protocol for adhesive capsulitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 28 patients with adhesive capsulitis.
• Protocol included suprascapular nerve block, intra-articular steroid injection, anesthetic with saline dilation, and manipulation.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in passive shoulder abduction (51.7 degrees) and flexion (37.7 degrees) post-procedure (P<.0001).
• No significant differences based on age, gender, or symptom duration.
• White patients showed greater abduction improvement than nonwhite patients.

Conclusions:

• The described nonoperative protocol effectively improves passive range of motion in adhesive capsulitis patients.
• Immediate post-procedure gains suggest this protocol is a viable treatment option.