Arthroscopic extended rotator interval release for treating refractory adhesive capsulitis.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Shoulder Arthroscopy

Background:

• Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, causes significant shoulder stiffness and pain.
• Refractory cases often require advanced treatment strategies beyond conservative management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic extended rotator interval release combined with a stretching program.
• To assess the efficacy of this surgical approach for treating adhesive capsulitis resistant to other treatments.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving 26 patients with refractory adhesive capsulitis.
• Arthroscopy-assisted release of the rotator interval and anterior capsule, preserving the biceps medial sling.
• Postoperative assessment included pain scores, range of motion, muscle strength, and validated shoulder function scores over a 2-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in passive forward flexion (101° to 172°) and external rotation (10° to 58°).
• Patients reported reduced visual analog scale pain scores and improved Constant and ASES scores.
• No significant changes in postoperative muscle power were noted.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic extended rotator interval release with a stretching program yields satisfactory subjective and objective results.
• This procedure represents a potential alternative treatment for refractory adhesive capsulitis, enhancing shoulder function.