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