Comprehensive Analysis of Frozen Shoulder Management

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pain Management
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Frozen shoulder (FS) causes progressive shoulder stiffness and pain, affecting middle-aged individuals, particularly women with diabetes or hypertension.
• While FS is self-limiting, recovery can be accelerated with timely medical interventions.
• This study examines the characteristics and treatment results of FS patients at a pain clinic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the demographic profile of frozen shoulder patients.
• To assess comorbidities associated with frozen shoulder.
• To determine the treatment outcomes for frozen shoulder managed at a pain clinic.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study of 112 frozen shoulder patients during the painful phase.
• Conservative treatment included analgesics, duloxetine, and physiotherapy.
• Non-responders received ultrasound-guided hydrodistension with dextrose, lignocaine, methylprednisolone, and a suprascapular block.

Main Results:

• Conservative management improved 89.3% of patients.
• 10.7% of patients required ultrasound-guided hydrodistension.
• Hydrodistension improved 83.3% of non-responders, with 16.7% experiencing pain relief but no mobility improvement.

Conclusions:

• Conservative treatments are highly effective for most frozen shoulder cases.
• Ultrasound-guided hydrodistension offers significant benefits for refractory frozen shoulder.
• A combined approach optimizes frozen shoulder management.