Adhesive Capsulitis Secondary to COVID-19 Vaccination - A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Vaccinology
• Immunology

Background:

• Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) encompasses pathologies causing pain and stiffness post-vaccination.
• SIRVA has been documented following COVID-19 immunizations, necessitating further investigation into its clinical impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of SIRVA-induced adhesive capsulitis.
• To analyze cases of adhesive capsulitis occurring after COVID-19 vaccine administration.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective identification of patients with adhesive capsulitis within four weeks of COVID-19 vaccination in the affected arm.
• Analysis of seven cases (1 male, 6 female, average age 60) including symptoms, duration, and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• All seven patients experienced improvement in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores and range of motion (ROM).
• Non-surgical management, including physiotherapy and hydrodilatation, yielded positive clinical and functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

• SIRVA-induced adhesive capsulitis is a rare but potential complication of improper vaccine administration.
• Conservative treatments, especially hydrodilatation with physiotherapy, are effective, leading to good functional recovery. Vaccinations should be administered on the non-dominant arm.