Abstract
Background:A thickened coracohumeral ligament is a highly specific manifestation of, and primary restraint against external rotation in frozen shoulders.Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of complete arthroscopic coracohumeral ligament release on range of motion in frozen shoulder.Methods:Fifty-two consecutive shoulders in 52 patients were treated between April 2015 and June 2016. To evaluate solely glenohumeral range of motion, the scapula was fixed by an examiner with one hand (without palpating scapular motion), and range of motion was measured using a goniometer. For the first step, arthroscopic pancapsular release was performed in a beach-chair position with (Group 1) or without (Group 2) complete coracohumeral ligament release. For the final step, the remaining coracohumeral ligaments in Group 2 were released and the ranges of motion were compared to those in Group 1.Results:The average age of the patients was significantly higher in Group 1, but there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to sex, affected side, preoperative range of motion, or American Shoulder and Elbow Society Score. Abduction, external rotation at adduction, and external and internal rotations at 90° of flexion in Group 1 were significantly greater than those in Group 2. After the additional release of the remaining coracohumeral ligaments in Group 2, all ranges of motion were significantly recovered and there was no significant difference between the groups.Conclusion:Complete coracohumeral ligament release is a recommended intraoperative procedure for regaining full range of motion in frozen shoulders.
Highlights
Frozen shoulder is characterized by painful restriction of both active and passive Ranges of Motion (ROM) [1]
There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to sex, affected side, or ASES score
There were no significant differences in ROMs between the two groups just before surgery
Summary
Frozen shoulder is characterized by painful restriction of both active and passive Ranges of Motion (ROM) [1]. In cases of limited ROM after appropriate conservative treatments such as oral medications, injections, and hydrodilation, or surgical interventions such as manipulation and capsular release [4, 5], additional treatment options should be considered. MUA cannot release the entire capsule including the Coracohumeral Ligament (CHL) [6, 9], the remaining thickened capsule may continue to restrict the ROM in some cases. This is especially true with movements such as internal rotation, which includes Hand Behind the Back (HBB) or Horizontal Flexion (HF) motions [10]. A thickened coracohumeral ligament is a highly specific manifestation of, and primary restraint against external rotation in frozen shoulders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call