Manipulation under anesthesia for frozen shoulders : a retrospective cohort study

MUA, manipulation under anesthesia ; FS, frozen shoulder ; SPADI, Shoulder Pain and Disability Score ; OSS, Oxford Shoulder Score ; NPRS, Numeric Paind Rating Scale. Manipulation under anesthesia is a well-established, but controversial, treatment for frozen shoulders. We will evaluate our results of manipulation and physiotherapy in stage two frozen shoulders. Questionnaires were sent to 65 patients with stage 2 frozen shoulders, treated with manipulation under anaesthesia between January 2012 and January 2014. Outcome parameters consisted of SPADI, OSS, EQ-5D, pain and satisfaction. A response rate of 75% was obtained. Mean follow up was 21 months (range 11-36). The median SPADI score was 11.2 (IQR 0.8-25.2) and median OSS was 39.0 (IQR 30-43). Only 72% of patients reported that they reached their pre injury level of functioning. A satisfaction rate of 92% was reported. Manipulation is a relatively easy intervention with a high satisfaction rate. We assume that manipulation could shorten the duration of symptoms. However, this needs to be confirmed in a randomized trial with a control group.