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Updated: Aug 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Treating Frozen Shoulder with Small Needle Knife Therapy
Published on: November 17, 2023
Long-Term Outcomes Following Manipulation Under Anaesthetic for Patients with Primary and Secondary Frozen Shoulder
Anna Fairclough1, Christopher Waters2, Thomas Davies3
1CT3 General Surgery, Great Western Hospital, Swindon SN3 6BB.
Background:
Frozen Shoulder (FS) is a common, debilitating condition for which manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) is a non-invasive and effective treatment option. Current literature evaluates short to medium-term outcomes, but there is a paucity of long-term (>10 years) studies. Knowledge of long-term outcomes is also needed to evaluate whether FS or its treatment pre-disposes to other shoulder pathology in the long-term.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 398 shoulders undergoing MUA for FS between Jan 1999 and Jan 2010; 240 complete datasets were obtained. Outcomes were Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), recurrence and development of other shoulder pathology (arthritis or rotator cuff tear).
Results:
At long-term follow-up (mean 13.2 years), 71.3% had no symptoms (OSS 48), 16.6% had minor symptoms (OSS 42-47) and 12.1% had significant symptoms (OSS < 42). There were 4/240 (1.7%) self-reported recurrences > 5 years after initial MUA and 2/240 (0.8%) repeat MUAs. In the long-term 6.7% developed rotator cuff pathology and 3.8% shoulder OA.
Discussion:
This study suggests that long-term outcome after MUA for FS is favourable. Late recurrence of FS is uncommon and the development of OA or rotator cuff pathology is no greater than that of the general population.
