Aims. Frozen shoulder is a common, painful condition that results in impairment of function. Corticosteroid injections are commonly used for frozen shoulder and can be given as glenohumeral joint (GHJ) injection or suprascapular nerve block (SSNB). Both injection types have been shown to significantly improve shoulder pain and range of motion. It is not currently known which is superior in terms of relieving patients’ symptoms. This is the protocol for a randomized clinical trial to investigate the clinical effectiveness of corticosteroid injection given as either a GHJ injection or SSNB. Methods. The Therapeutic Injections For Frozen Shoulder (TIFFS) study is a single centre, parallel, two-arm, randomized clinical trial. Participants will be allocated on a 1:1 basis to either a GHJ corticosteroid injection or SSNB. Participants in both trial arms will then receive physiotherapy as normal for frozen shoulder. The primary analysis will compare the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) at three months after injection. Secondary outcomes include OSS at six and 12 months, range of shoulder movement at three months, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale, abbreviated Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and EuroQol five-level five-dimension health index at three months, six months, and one year after injection. A minimum of 40 patients will be recruited to obtain 80% power to detect a minimally important difference of ten points on the OSS between the groups at three months after injection. The study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04965376. Conclusion. The results of this trial will demonstrate if there is a difference in shoulder pain and function after GHJ injection or SSNB in patients with frozen shoulder. This will help provide effective treatment to patients with frozen shoulder. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(3):205–209

Aims. This systematic review places a recently completed multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT), UK FROST, in the context of existing randomized evidence for the management of primary frozen shoulder. UK FROST compared the effectiveness of pre-specified physiotherapy techniques with a steroid injection (PTSI), manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) with a steroid injection, and arthroscopic capsular release (ACR). This review updates a 2012 review focusing on the effectiveness of MUA, ACR, hydrodilatation, and PTSI. Methods. MEDLINE, Embase, PEDro, Science Citation Index, Clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry were searched up to December 2018. Reference lists of included studies were screened. No language restrictions applied. Eligible studies were RCTs comparing the effectiveness of MUA, ACR, PTSI, and hydrodilatation against each other, or supportive care or no treatment, for the management of primary frozen shoulder. Results. Nine RCTs were included. The primary outcome of patient-reported shoulder function at long-term follow-up (> 6 months and ≤ 12 months) was reported for five treatment comparisons across four studies. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were: ACR versus MUA: 0.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.42), ACR versus supportive care: -0.13 (95% CI -1.10 to 0.83), and ACR versus PTSI: 0.33 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.59) and 0.25 (95% CI -0.34 to 0.85), all favouring ACR; MUA versus supportive care: 0 (95% CI -0.44 to 0.44) not favouring either; and MUA versus PTSI: 0.12 (95% CI -0.14 to 0.37) favouring MUA. None of these differences met the threshold of clinical significance agreed for the UK FROST and most confidence intervals included zero. Conclusion. The findings from a recent multicentre RCT provided the strongest evidence that, when compared with each other, neither PTSI, MUA, nor ACR are clinically superior. Evidence from smaller RCTs did not change this conclusion. The effectiveness of hydrodilatation based on four RCTs was inconclusive and there remains an evidence gap. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):773–784

Aims. A pragmatic multicentre randomized controlled trial, UK FROzen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST), was conducted in the UK NHS comparing the cost-effectiveness of commonly used treatments for adults with primary frozen shoulder in secondary care. Methods. A cost utility analysis from the NHS perspective was performed. Differences between manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA), arthroscopic capsular release (ACR), and early structured physiotherapy plus steroid injection (ESP) in costs (2018 GBP price base) and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) at one year were used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the treatments using regression methods. Results. ACR was £1,734 more costly than ESP ((95% confidence intervals (CIs) £1,529 to £1,938)) and £1,457 more costly than MUA (95% CI £1,283 to £1,632). MUA was £276 (95% CI £66 to £487) more expensive than ESP. Overall, ACR had worse QALYs compared with MUA (-0.0293; 95% CI -0.0616 to 0.0030) and MUA had better QALYs compared with ESP (0.0396; 95% CI -0.0008 to 0.0800). At a £20,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold, MUA had the highest probability of being cost-effective (0.8632) then ESP (0.1366) and ACR (0.0002). The results were robust to sensitivity analyses. Conclusion. While ESP was less costly, MUA was the most cost-effective option. ACR was not cost-effective. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(8):685–695

Aims. To achieve expert clinical consensus in the delivery of hydrodilatation for the treatment of primary frozen shoulder to inform clinical practice and the design of an intervention for evaluation. Methods. We conducted a two-stage, electronic questionnaire-based, modified Delphi survey of shoulder experts in the UK NHS. Round one required positive, negative, or neutral ratings about hydrodilatation. In round two, each participant was reminded of their round one responses and the modal (or ‘group’) response from all participants. This allowed participants to modify their responses in round two. We proposed respectively mandating or encouraging elements of hydrodilatation with 100% and 90% positive consensus, and respectively disallowing or discouraging with 90% and 80% negative consensus. Other elements would be optional. Results. Between 4 August 2020 and 4 August 2021, shoulder experts from 47 hospitals in the UK completed the study. There were 106 participants (consultant upper limb orthopaedic surgeons, n = 50; consultant radiologists, n = 52; consultant physiotherapist, n = 1; extended scope physiotherapists, n = 3) who completed round one, of whom 97 (92%) completed round two. No elements of hydrodilatation were “mandated” (100% positive rating). Elements that were “encouraged” (≥ 80% positive rating) were the use of image guidance, local anaesthetic, normal saline, and steroids to deliver the injection. Injecting according to patient tolerance, physiotherapy, and home exercises were also “encouraged”. No elements were “discouraged” (≥ 80% negative rating) although using hypertonic saline was rated as being “disallowed” (≥ 90% negative rating). Conclusion. In the absence of rigorous evidence, our Delphi study allowed us to achieve expert consensus about positive, negative, and neutral ratings of hydrodilatation in the management of frozen shoulder in a hospital setting. This should inform clinical practice and the design of an intervention for evaluation. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(9):701–709

Purpose: Frozen shoulder, an excruciatingly painful condition known medically as adhesive capsulitis, affects two million people in Britain. Diabetics and women aged 40–60 are particularly at risk. The current treatment for frozen shoulder includes painkillers, physiotherapy, or surgery. The above presents their own problems, including recurrence of symptoms, failure of therapy, and for surgery: recovery period, anaesthetic and surgical operative risks. In contrast, the therapy involving hydrodilatation injections into the shoulder takes just ten minutes and allows patients to go home immediately. Hydrodilatation had fallen out of favour as a means of treating frozen shoulders until the recent publications specifically the King’s Lynn study (Quraishi et al) in 2007. Our objective is to see if we can reproduce these results that the King’s Lynn study shows. Method: Our study is a cohort study, prospectively evaluating the outcome of hydrodilatation as treatments for adhesive capsulitis. 24 patients were treated with hydrodilatation, and had Oxford scores done before injection; 2 months and 6 months after injection. The overall scores were recorded as was the range of movement. Results: The overall scores for the study showed a significant improvement and increased ROM of patients’ shoulders. Conclusion: We believe our study shows that hydrodilatation is an effective means of treating frozen shoulders. We believe our study demonstrates the need for hydrodilatation to be more widely practiced. Other therapy such as painkillers and physiotherapy has shown not to be effective, and surgery has its respective complications. Therefore hydrodilatation offers a minimally invasive, cheap, low risk alternative

Introduction: We have described nine clinical features to aid the clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder. These include symptoms of pain and pins and needles radiating down the arm to the hand, feeling of lameness in the arm, tenderness over medial border of scapula, tenderness over the rotator interval, tenderness over the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular fossa, reduction of pain with passive abduction and forward flexion of the shoulder, asymmetry of the arm position at rest with an increase in elbow to waist distance and apparent winging of the scapula. Methods: We prospectively evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of each clinical test in a consecutive series of 110 patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. An equal number of patients with shoulder pathology other than frozen shoulder were used as controls matched to the study group for sex and age. We also discuss the probable causes and clinical relevance of these features. Results The most sensitive test was pain over the brachial p:lexus in the supraclavicular fossa (0.98) and the most specific test was apparent winging of the scapula (0.84). The single most accurate diagnostic test was relief of symptoms with abduction and flexion (85%). The incidence of positive accessory features was positively correlated with the visual analogue pain score (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient) and negatively correlated with the length of duration of symptoms (p< 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation coefficient). Conclusion: These accessory tests are intended to supplement the original description made by Codman. They are most useful in the acute painful stage of the disease when symptoms have been present for less than 6 months. In the diagnosis of a patient with a painful stiff shoulder, if six of the tests with the highest correlation are positive, the diagnosis of frozen shoulder is likely

Purpose: Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a painful and progressive loss of both active and passive range of motion without any known intrinsic cause. The natural history and histological stages have been described to help explain the pathogenesis. There have been conflicting reports evaluating the effects of intra-articular corticosteroid injections in the treatment to improve the natural history. We report our non-operative experience with the use of glenohumeral corticosteroid injections in patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Method: 129 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of frozen shoulder were followed from 1997–2002. A detailed physical examination in both the erect and supine position documented range of motion. A VAS was used to document pain. All patients underwent a glenohumeral injection with 40 mg DepoMedrol and 9 ml 1% plain lidocaine at the time of initial presentation and at monthly follow-up with the following criteria: 1. No improvement in pain of 2 VAS levels 2. No improvement in erect abduction or forward flexion of 20° or 3. No improvement in erect or supine IR or ER of 10°. A maximum of 3 injections was used. Patients were followed until complete resolution of symptoms or if surgical intervention was needed. Successful treatment was considered if there was complete resolution of pain, full function, and patient satisfaction. Initial and follow-up ASES and HSS L’Insalata scores were recorded. Results: Thirty-one patients were lost to follow-up leaving 98 patients to be evaluated. There were 69 females with average age of 40.7 years and 29 males with average age of 53.2 years. Overall success was 71.4% (71% females, 72.4% males). Successful treatment occurred at 4.15 months in females and 4.5 months in males. 85.7% of both female and male patients recovered with 1 or 2 injections. Poor prognostic indicators were Diabetes Mellitus, absent physiotherapy, workman’s compensation, post-operative stiffness cases, dominant arm, and stage 3 cases. Average ASES scores were 41.8 at presentation and 92.7 at resolution and HSS L’Insalata scores were 52.5 at presentation and 91.0 at resolution. There were no complications with our technique. Conclusion: Glenohumeral corticosteroid injections for the patient with adhesive capsulitis are considered to be safe and an effective method of treatment for resolution of pain and improvement in functional range of motion. We recommend glenohumeral corticosteroid injections at the time of presentation and with close follow-up for frozen shoulder as part of the initial treatment regime. We have suggested an algorithm for the timing of intra-articular injections based on pain and objective range of motion

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that cellular mechanisms of fibroblasts derived from primary frozen shoulder (PFS) exhibit similar activity in terms of contraction, response to cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF beta1) and mechanical stimulation similar to that generated by fibroblasts derived from Dupuytren’s disease. Frozen shoulder has been postulated to be Dupuytren’s disease of the shoulder with an association inferred since 1936. Primary explant cultures of fibroblasts from seven patients with PFS and five control patients were obtained using standard tissue culture techniques. Fibroblasts were seeded in 3-D collagen constructs and contraction force generated over 24 hours measured using a culture force monitor (CFM) in real time. Increasing concentrations of TGF-beta1 were added to cell seeded gels and force generated measured using the CFM over 24 hours. These mechanical output data were statistically compared to data available from Dupuytren’s disease. Compared to Dupuytren’s fibroblasts, PFS fibroblasts showed a statistically reduced ability to contract a 3-D collagen gel over 24 hours (p< 0.01). In Dupuytren’s disease, fibroblasts derived from nodules and cords generate peak forces of 140 dynes and 110 dynes respectively, while PFS fibroblasts generated peak force of 8 dynes The response to TGF-beta1 stimulation, which has been shown to enhance peak force contraction in Dupuytren’s fibroblasts had no effect on PFS fibroblasts and this was statistically significant (p< 0.01). These data suggest intrinsic differences in cellular activity and mechanisms between Dupuytren’s and Primary Frozen Shoulder even though clinically they both manifest with a contracted extracellular matrix affecting function and requiring surgical intervention. This may explain increased post surgical recurrence in Dupuytren’s as compared to Primary Frozen Shoulder release

Following arthroscopic arthrolysis for frozen shoulder, steroid injections may become necessary to improve ongoing pain and facilitate stretching exercises. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of steroid injections needed post-arthroscopic arthrolysis of frozen shoulder. Case series review carried out in a District General Hospital in UK. 30 consecutive patients who had arthroscopic arthrolysis under the care of the senior author were included. Patients’ records were analysed to identify the number of steroid injections administered post-operatively. 11 males and 19 females were examined, aged 46–83 years old (mean 56.1). 7 patients were diabetic. 10 patients (33.3%) received steroid injections post-operatively, with 8 of them receiving the injection within the first 6 post-operative months. The average post-operative time of steroid injection was 9.8 months. There was no association between diabetes and administration of a post-operative steroid injection P>0.01. Following arthroscopic arthrolysis a substantial proportion of patients may require one or more steroid injections to help pain and facilitate stretching exercises and physiotherapy. This study showed that 1 in 3 frozen shoulders treated with arthroscopic arthrolysis may need a subsequent steroid injection in the first year post surgery. Patients should be counselled preoperatively with regards to that, and be warned that arthroscopic arthrolysis is only the first step in the treatment pathway leading to recovery. Blackpool Victoria Hospital Orthopaedic Department

The aetiology and pathophysiology of frozen shoulder is poorly understood. The macroscopic pathological finding is dense fibrosis of the glenohumeral capsule and ligaments. Cellular histological studies reveal active proliferation of fibroblasts and their transformation to myofibroblasts, resulting in a dense matrix of disorganised collagen, causing capsular contracture. To further elucidate these pathological changes we arthroscopically examined 45 consecutive frozen shoulders immediately prior to performing arthroscopic release. The distinctive finding in all cases was new blood vessel formation or angiogenesis in the synovium and capsule. There were five distinct angiogenic patterns: 1.vascular synovial proliferation at the base of the anchor of the long head of biceps tendon (most common); 2.petechial haemorrhagic spots widely spread across the synovium, in the rotator interval and even on the labral surface; 3.capillary loops and spirals, appearing like “lava flow”; 4.dense red vascular synovitis; 5.spectacular capillary whorls, similar in appearance to glomeruli (least common). High quality arthroscopic digital images will illustrate these findings. The vascular changes seen in the shoulder joint in frozen shoulder are pathognomonic and similar to those seen in the formation of hypertrophic and keloid scarring of the skin, diabetic retinopathy, a variety of auto-immune disorders and tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and many other disease processes. The ability to therapeutically inhibit angiogenesis via inhibition of cytokines or adhesion molecules in these diseases suggests a possible role for these developing non-surgical treatments in frozen shoulder

Introduction. Adhesive capsulitis is a common condition causing painful limitation of shoulder movements. Hydrodistension is one of the techniques, is well recognised and has shown good outcomes. However, the results of hydro distension release in secondary adhesive capsulitis are not clear. Patients and Methods. This is a retrospective study on patients undergoing hydro distension release. Patients who had any surgical intervention were classed as secondary whilst the rest were included in the primary group. The hydro distension is a standard technique where in the senior author locates the gleno humeral joint using radio opaque dye, followed by injection of 20 mls 0.5% L-bupivacaine and 80 mg of Triamcinolone, this is followed by use of 60 mls saline to perform the hydro distension. Results. We included 86 shoulders in 80 patients who underwent the procedure. There were 46 females and 34 males, with average age of 51.07 years (range 35 – 75). Left side was involved in 42 shoulders and right in 44. 25 patients showed associated risk factors of which 17 patients had diabetes, 12 had hypercholesterolemia and 5 had underactive thyroid. 65 of the shoulders were in the primary group whilst 21 in the secondary group. In the secondary group the procedures included 8 arthroscopic subacromial decompression with ACJ excision, 7 had rotator cuff repairs, 4 had biceps labral procedure and 2 ORIF clavicle. 3/21 patients required further intervention in secondary group, whilst 10/65 in the primary group required further intervention. Patients who have history of inflammatory arthritides were found to have higher incidence of revision surgery and poorer outcomes. 85% patients in both groups had improvement in their function and range of movements and were happy with the outcome. Conclusion. Hydrodistension provides safe and predictive results in both primary and secondary adhesive capsulitis and should be considered as an option before any invasive procedure

Introduction: Frozen shoulder is a general term denoting all causes of motion loss in the shoulder. As the syndrome is very common, many patients do not undergo detailed imaging studies before treatment. Objectives: A series of 15 patients with primary neoplasms of the shoulder girdle mimicking frozen shoulder syndrome is presented. Results: There were 6 male and 9 female patients. The common presentation was pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.63Yrs (range 23 “ 71 Yrs). 73% were less than 50 Yrs of age. Only 2 gave history of trauma. Most received local steroids and physiotherapy before diagnosis. There were 10(66.6%) proximal humeral lesions and 5(33.3%) scapular lesions. Humeral lesions included chondrosarcoma (2), Ewing’s (2), lymphoma (2), chondroma (2) and osteoblastoma (1). Scapular lesions included chondrosarcoma (3), lymphoma (1) and fibromatosis (1). Scapular tumors involved older individuals. The mean delay in diagnosis after onset of symptoms was 15.8 mts (range 2 weeks- 48 months). All patients had X rays and CT / MRI. Treatment included a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. 3 patients with humeral lesions died at a mean of 20.6 mts, and 3 patients with scapular lesions died at a mean of 4.3 mts after diagnosis. The common cause of death was pulmonary metastasis. Discussion: Many so called frozen shoulders are joints inhibited by pain rather than by true contracture. The commonest lesion to mimic a frozen shoulder is a slow growing low/middle grade chondrosarcoma. Young patients presenting with persistent pain or night pain must be examined for this possibility. Consideration should be given for further investigation before instituting treatment. Delay in diagnosis adversely affects survival. Surgeons are reminded that although rare, a tumor should be suspected when clinical presentations are unusual

Introduction: Frozen shoulder is a general term denoting all causes of motion loss in the shoulder. As the syndrome is very common, many patients do not undergo detailed imaging studies before treatment. Some patients are managed by their GPs for long periods before being referred to a hospital. Objectives: A series of 15 patients with primary neoplasms of the shoulder girdle mimicking frozen shoulder syndrome is presented. Methods: A retrospective review of the Scottish bone tumor registry. Results: There were 6 male and 9 female patients. The common presentation was pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.63Yrs (range 23 – 71 Yrs). 73% were less than 50 Yrs of age. Only 2 gave history of trauma. Most received local steroids and physiotherapy before diagnosis. There were 10(66.6%) proximal humeral lesions and 5(33.3%) scapular lesions. Humeral lesions included chondrosarcoma (2), Ewing’s (2), lymphoma (2), chondroma (2) and osteoblastoma (1). Scapular lesions included chondrosarcoma (3), lymphoma (1) and fibromatosis (1).Scapular tumors involved older individuals. The mean delay in diagnosis after onset of symptoms was 15.8 mts (range 2 weeks- 48 months). All patients had X rays and CT/MRI. Treatment included a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. 3 patients with humeral lesions died at a mean of 20.6 mts, and 3 patients with scapular lesions died at a mean of 4.3 mts after diagnosis. The common cause of death was pulmonary metastasis. Discussion: Many so called frozen shoulders are joints inhibited by pain rather than by true contracture. The commonest lesion to mimic a frozen shoulder is a slow growing low/middle grade chondrosarcoma. Young patients presenting with persistent pain or night pain must be examined for this possibility. Consideration should be given for further investigation before instituting treatment. Delay in diagnosis adversely affects survival. Surgeons are reminded that although rare, a tumor should be suspected when clinical presentations are unusual

Objectives. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography is an emerging technique that can provide detailed anatomical information during surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ICG fluorescence angiography can be used to evaluate the blood flow of the rotator cuff tendon in the clinical setting. Methods. Twenty-six patients were evaluated from October 2016 to December 2017. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their diagnoses: the rotator cuff tear group; normal rotator cuff group; and adhesive capsulitis group. After establishing a posterior standard viewing portal, intravenous administration of ICG at 0.2 mg/kg body weight was performed, and fluorescence images were recorded. The time from injection of the drug to the beginning of enhancement of the observed area was measured. The hypovascular area in the rotator cuff was evaluated, and the ratio of the hypovascular area to the anterolateral area of the rotator cuff tendon was calculated (hypovascular area ratio). Results. ICG fluorescence angiography allowed for visualization of blood flow in the rotator cuff in all groups. The adhesive capsulitis group showed significantly earlier enhancement than the other groups. Furthermore, the adhesive capsulitis group had a significantly smaller hypovascular area ratio than the other groups. Conclusion. ICG fluorescence angiography allowed for evaluation of real-time blood flow of the rotator cuff in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The techniques of ICG fluorescence angiography are simple and easy to observe, observer reliability is high, and it has utility for evaluating blood flow during surgery. Cite this article: N. Doi, T. Izaki, S. Miyake, T. Shibata, T. Ishimatsu, Y. Shibata, T. Yamamoto. Intraoperative evaluation of blood flow for soft tissues in orthopaedic surgery using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography: A pilot study. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:118–125. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.83.BJR-2018-0151.R1

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that cellular mechanisms of fibroblasts derived from primary frozen shoulder(PFS) exhibit similar activity in terms of contraction, response to cytokine (transforming growth factor-beta1) and mechanical stimulation similar to that generated by fibroblasts derived from dupuytren’s disease. PFS is a debilitating disease of unknown aetiology, characterised by fibrosis with contracture of the cora-cohumeral ligament, tissues of the rotator interval and glenohumeral ligaments, leading to restrictive shoulder movements. Frozen shoulder has been postulated to be Dupuytren’s disease of the shoulder with an association inferred since 1936. Materials and Methods: Primary explant cultures of fibroblasts from seven patients with PFS and five control patients were obtained using standard tissue culture techniques. Fibroblasts were seeded in 3-D collagen constructs and contraction force generated over 24hours measured using a culture force monitor(CFM) in real time. Increasing concentrations of TGF-beta1 were added to cell seeded gels and force generated measured using the CFM over 24hours. These mechanical output data were statistically compared to data available from Dupuytren’s disease. Results and Discussion: Compared to Dupuytren’s fibroblasts, PFS fibroblasts showed a statistically reduced ability to contract a 3-D collagen gel over 24hours (p< 0.01). In Dupuytren’s disease, fibroblasts derived from nodules and cords generate peak forces of 140dynes and 110dynes respectively, while PFS fibro-blasts generated peak force of 8dynes The response to TGF-beta1 stimulation, which has been shown to enhance peak force contraction in Dupuytren’s fibro-blasts had no effect on PFS fibroblasts and this was statistically significant (p< 0.01). Conclusion: These data suggest intrinsic differences in cellular activity and mechanisms between Dupuytren’s and Primary Frozen Shoulder even though clinically they both manifest with a contracted extracellular matrix affecting function and requiring surgical intervention. This may explain increasing post surgically recurrence in Dupuytren’s as compared to Primary Frozen Shoulder release

Background. Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is a debilitating condition affecting 2–5% of the adult population. Its aetiology is still unclear and there is no consensus on the most effective treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the mid-term functional outcome of one specific treatment protocol. Methods. Patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis treated by one orthopaedic surgeon between 2004 and 2008 were identified from outpatient clinic letters. All patients had initially received conservative treatment, consisting of physiotherapy with capsular stretches and subacromial injections. Patients in whom conservative treatment failed underwent an arthroscopic capsular release. At a minimum of two years following diagnosis patients were sent the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS [0 to 48]), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC [0 to 2100]) and a satisfaction questionnaire by post. In addition case notes were reviewed and type of treatment and range of movement (ROM) recorded. Results. 60 patients with the diagnosis of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis were identified. 42 patients (70%) returned the completed questionnaires. Range of movement data was available from 43 patients (72%). Mean OSS was 41 (SD 10.7) and mean WORC 307 (SD 437.1). Analysis showed that patients in whom conservative treatment was successful had significantly better functional outcome scores in OSS and WORC and better ROM than patients who underwent surgery. Overall 33 patients (79%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of their treatment. Conclusion. This study shows that patients who respond to conservative treatment have a better functional outcome than patients who undergo surgery following failed conservative treatment. Further studies are needed to directly compare the two types of treatment

Manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) is an established treatment for frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder may coexist with other shoulder conditions, whose treatment may differ from MUA. One such condition is calcific tendonitis. Only one study to date documents treatment of patients with frozen shoulder and concurrent calcific tendinitis. The objective was to demonstrate that MUA and injection is a satisfactory treatment for concurrent diagnosis of frozen shoulder and calcific tendinitis. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder and radiological evidence of calcific tendinitis were prospectively recruited from Jan 1999 – Jan 2009. Treatment by MUA and injection was performed. Clinical examination, Oxford Shoulder Scores and need for further treatment were used as outcome measures. Fourteen patients (median age 53.5 years) were identified with frozen shoulder and concurrent calcific tendinitis. Significant improvement in both Oxford Shoulder Score and range of movement was achieved following MUA (P values < 0.001). Two patients required further treatment (not for calcific tendinitis). This improvement was maintained in the long term (median 107 wks). It is our belief that MUA and injection is a safe and effective treatment, addressing the frozen shoulder with MUA takes priority, and as such frozen shoulder “trumps” other pathologies occurring simultaneously

Distension arthrography of the glenohumeral joint was adopted as a mainstream treatment for adhesive capsulitis before any randomised controlled trials were performed. Interpretation of the effectiveness of this procedure rests on data from cohort studies of which there are few of high quality. Papers reporting on the long-term results have either excluded diabetic patients or failed to report on patient orientated outcomes. We present a prospective cohort study of 51 patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder who had a distension arthrogram performed by a single radiologist as a primary intervention. We included diabetic patients. Range of movement (ROM), Oxford shoulder score (OSS) and a visual analogue pain score (VAS) were recorded pre-procedure, at 2 days and 1 month. OSS and VAS were recorded again at a mean of 14 months post procedure (range 8–26 months). OSS improved from pre-procedure mean of 22.3 by 16.9 points at final follow up in September 2011 (p < 0.001) whilst VAS improved from a mean pre-procedure of 7.1 by −3.5 by September 2011 (p< 0.001). ROM improved with a mean increase of 39.3 degrees in flexion, 55.2 degrees in abduction and 19.5 degrees in external rotation by 1 month (p < 0.001 for all). The outcome in diabetic patients was the same as in non-diabetic patients. We conclude that distension arthrography is a safe and effective treatment for adhesive capsulitis

Aims: To prospectively compare the progress and outcomes during a follow-up period of two years in patients who were in the ‘freezing phase’ of Primary (Idiopathic) Frozen Shoulder following either manipulation of the shoulder under general anaesthetic (MUA) or intra-articular shoulder joint distension injections using steroid and local anaesthetic. Methods: 53 consecutive patients aged between 40 and 75 years with Frozen Shoulder were randomised to receive either MUA followed by out-patient physiotherapy or up to 3 distension injections at six weekly intervals in the first 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured using Constant-Murley Shoulder Function Assessment Score (CS), Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain level, and the SF-36 Health Evaluation Questionnaire. All patients were reviewed at 2, 6 and12 weeks, then at 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. At each visit the CS and the VAS were repeated. The SF-36 was undertaken at initial and final visits. Results: Group 1 (MUA) contained 28 patients of which 15 (54%) were female. Group 2 (Distension Injection) contained 25 patients of which 20 (80%) were female. No statistical difference was identified between the 2 groups in terms of outcome for the affected shoulders, for the SF36 scores, CS and the VAS. Maximum benefit was seen by 12 weeks in both groups. In group 2 this equated to 2 distension injections. No complications were noted in either group. Conclusion: Frozen Shoulder is accepted to be a self-limiting condition with resolution by 2 years from onset. Any treatment aims to reduce this period of pain and disability. The potential risks of MUA include fracture and rotator cuff ruptures are well documented in the literature. Distension injections are easily performed in clinic without the need for admission, a general anaesthetic, or the risk of the complications associated with MUA. In view of there being no difference between the treatment modalities we recommend the use of 2 distension injections as the first line treatment for Frozen Shoulder

This is the largest reported natural history study of frozen shoulder. 500 patients were identified from a specialist shoulder clinic register with a diagnosis of frozen shoulder based on Codman’s criteria. 273 patients with primary frozen shoulder replied to a detailed postal questionnaire regarding their condition. Mean follow up from symptom onset was 52 months (range 12–240months), with 89% of shoulders followed up for a minimum of 3 years. A positive family history was identified in 20% (n=45) of 1st degree relatives. The relative risk to siblings compared with a control population was 4:1. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms recovered more quickly than those with severe or unbearable symptoms. The mean age of onset was 53 years (range27–85yrs). The female to male ratio was 1.6:1. The condition was bilateral in 20%, with no incidence of ipsilateral recurrence. 22% of patients reported a history of minor trauma to the upper limb prior to the onset of symptoms. 16% were diabetic and 4% reported a history of Dupuytren’s contracture. Right and left arms were affected equally with no relationship to hand dominance. 61% reported slow, and 39% reported sudden onset of symptoms. Generally pain and stiffness improved with time but at 3 and 4 years after onset 13% and 9% respectively still had symptoms. Frozen shoulder affects people mainly in their 6th decade. Genetic factors play an important role in the aetiology. The natural history is for improvement with time, with the less severe symptoms at onset improving most quickly. 9% of patients were still symptomatic at 4 year follow up