Manipulation following regional interscalene anesthetic block for shoulder adhesive capsulitis: a case series

Abstract

Adhesive capulitis (AC) of the glenhumeral joint, commonly known as ‘‘frozen shoulder’’, is a prevalent condition that is frequently treated by physical therapists (Dockrell and Wiseman, 1995; Holmes et al., 1997; van der Heijden et al., 1997; Winters et al., 1997; Connolly, 1998; Pearsall and Speer, 1998; Schwitalle et al., 1998; van der Windt et al., 1998; Siegel et al., 1999; Sandor, 2000; Bentley and Tasto, 2001; Green et al., 2001; Vermeulen et al., 2000). AC is more prevalent in women and in middle-aged individuals (Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Siegel et al., 1999), in the diabetic patient population, with a rate of 2–5% in the non-diabetic population and 10–20% patients with non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (Siegel et al., 1999; Carette, 2000; Bentley and Tasto, 2001). Patients with glenohumeral AC typically suffer from significant pain and progressively diminishing shoulder function (Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Roubal et al., 1996; Placzek et al., 1998; Sandor, 2000). In a recent review on interventions for shoulder pain by the Cochrane Collaboration, Green et al. (2001), define AC as the presence of shoulder pain with restriction of passive and active glenohumeral motion. However, in their review of the literature, these same researchers found no standardized definitions for AC and reported conflicting criteria defining AC in the clinical trials reviewed. The recommended course of treatment for patients with adhesive capsulitis is highly variable (Thomas et al., 1981; Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Parker et al., 1989; Grubbs, 1993; Dockrell and Wiseman, 1995; Holmes et al., 1997; van der Heijden et al., 1997; Winters et al., 1997;