Posterior arthroscopic capsular release in frozen shoulder

Snow, M; Boutros, I; Funk, L

Abstract

Purpose: the aims of our study were to assess the overall effectiveness of arthroscopic capsular release and to determine if the addition of a posterior capsular release had any benefit, particularly in relation to internal rotation.
Methods: forty-eight consecutive patients with primary or secondary frozen shoulder in whom conservative physiotherapy had failed were included in the study. Arthroscopic capsular release was performed in all cases. Group 1 had an anterior and inferior release only; group 2 included a posterior release. All data were collected prospectively. Constant–Murley functional scores were used to assess outcome. Overall satisfaction and patient reported outcomes were also measured.
Results: the mean patient age was 51 years (range, 28 to 65 years), with no difference between the 2 groups. There were 27 patients in group 1 and 21 patients in group 2. The mean follow-up was 5 months. Etiology of the frozen shoulder was primary (22), diabetic (7), post-traumatic (7), and postoperative (11). Overall across both groups, there was a highly significant improvement in Constant score (P < .001) postoperatively. A similar pattern was noted in the range of motion (P < .001). The mean satisfaction score was 7 of 10 postoperatively. The patients reported overall outcome as much better (24), better (15), the same (1), and worse (4). There was no significant difference in Constant score between the 2 groups, and no significant difference in the improvement of the range of motion, in particular internal rotation.
Conclusions: we have shown an overall rapid significant improvement following arthroscopic capsular release for primary and secondary frozen shoulder. There was no significant difference in the overall outcome with the addition of a posterior release.

Citation

Snow, M., Boutros, I., & Funk, L. (2009). Posterior arthroscopic capsular release in frozen shoulder. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2008.08.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Jun 8, 2011
• Journal: Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery
• Print ISSN: 07498063
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 19-23
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2008.08.006
• Keywords: Arthroscopic, capsular release, frozen shoulder, posterior
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2008.08.006