Shoulder: Adhesive Capsulitis

Question 1

Adhesive capsulitis is most common in whom?

Answer 1

Middle-aged women (40-60)

Question 2

What risk factor is most associated with adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 2

Diabetes mellitus (20% experience an episode)

Question 3

What are risk factors for adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 3

DIABETES MELLITUS
MI
Lung disease
Neck disease

Question 4

What are risk factors for adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 4

DIABETES MELLITUS
MI
Lung disease
Neck disease

Question 5

How does adhesive capsulitis present?

Answer 5

Painful, stiff joint in non-dominant arm
Reduced active movements in all planes
Loss of passive external rotation
May be bilateral

Question 6

How long may episodes of adhesive capsulitis last?

Answer 6

6 months - 2 years

Question 7

What joint movements are affected in adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 7

All, but external rotation > internal rot and abduction
Both active and passive movements

Question 8

What are the three phases of adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 8

Painful freezing
Adhesive/joint stiffness
Recovery

Question 9

What may be seen in the history of a patient with adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 9

Prolonged arm immobilisation or disuse

Question 10

Ix for adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 10

None - clinical diagnosis
BUT imaging for atypical/persistent Sx

Question 11

Mx of adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 11

No single intervention
NSAIDs, physio, oral or intra-articular corticosteroids

Question 12

When may adhesive capsulitis occur iatrogenically?

Answer 12

Complication of an open or arthroscopic shoulder operation