Adhesive Capsulitis

Question 1

What is adhesive capsulitis also known as?

Answer 1

Frozen shoulder

Question 2

What is the course of adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 2

First 2-9 months are painful. The pain then starts to subside and you get stiffness for 4-12 months. This then ‘thaws’ out and full shoulder motion will recover.

Question 3

What causes frozen shoulder?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the capsule and the glenohumeral ligaments causes thickening and contraction of them.

Question 4

What clinical signs will frozen shoulder present with?

Answer 4

Loss of external rotation is the main one. Also loss of motion in all directions.

Question 5

Why does a frozen shoulder occur?

Answer 5

It could be due to trauma, previous shoulder surgery

More common in diabetecs, hypercholesterolaemia, Dupuytrens

Question 6

Treatment of frozen shoulder

Answer 6

Majority are non-operative
-Analgesics and physiotherapy
-Intrarticular injections into the glenohumeral joint.
Surgery is used when the pain has settled but the patient cant cope with the loss of function. Therefore they can do manipulation under anasthetic to break the capsule or surgical capsule release