Functional Outcome After Arthroscopic Capsular Release in Management of the Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis

Background: When adhesive capsulitis develops, it causes shoulder pain and limits ranges of motion in the 2 passive and active ways. Following an arthroscopic release of the frozen shoulder, the pain intensity and frequency were found to be significantly reduced.
Objective: This work was performed to assess the clinical findings after use of arthroscopic capsular release in management of shoulder adhesive capsulitis that had not responded to at least six months of conservative treatment prior and to study how much is the regaining of functions of shoulder after the operation.
Patients and methods: A total of 18 Egyptian patients with frozen shoulder recruited and treated by arthroscopic capsular release. Preoperative evaluation was done and 1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks of follow-up after surgery. We used Constant score for assessment of shoulder functions and pain.
Results: All of internal rotation, external rotation, abduction, forward flexion, and range of motion significantly increased from pre- to last follow up as follows 3.66 ± 1.2, 3.77 ± 1.25, 4.77 ± 1.21, 4.88 ± 1.40, and 17.11 ± 3.83 pre-operative versus 8.44 ± 1.46, 8.33 ± 1.41, 8.55 ± 1.14, 9.0 ± 1.57, and 31.88 ± 7.52 respectively in last post-operative follow up. Strength of abduction significantly increased from 13.33 ± 1.71 preoperative to 20.50 ± 3.01 in last follow up postoperative. Pain Constant score significantly increased from 5.94 ± 1.43 to 13.44 ± 2.66. Total shoulder Constant score significantly increased from 48.16 ± 6.31to 84.50 ± 11.96.
Conclusion: Shoulder adhesive capsulitis that has not well responded to conservative treatment can be successfully treated with arthroscopic surgery.