Mid term effects of 360 degrees arthroscopic capsular release for primary frozen shoulder

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of 360 degrees arthroscopic capsular release for the treatment of primary frozen shoulder. Methods Twenty three patients with primary frozen shoulder from January 2010 to September 2014, including eight males and 15 females with an average age of (58±10) years were enrolled in this study. Cases with cervical spondylopathy, tumor, thoracic outlet syndrome as well as the secondary shoulder stiffness following shoulder injury, surgery or external fixation of shoulder were excluded. Arthroscopic capsular release was performed under general anesthesia in all patients. VAS pain score and Constant score of patients were assessed and compared before and after surgery by paired t test. The joint activity of the affected side was also analyzed. Results All the operations were successfully completed, the incisions healed well and no complications were observed. Twenty of 23 cases were followed up, accounting for a follow-up rate of 86.7%, with an average follow-up time of (46±18) months. The Constant score of shoulder three months after operation was (90.2±1.3) and the the VAS score was 1(1, 2); both were statistically significant compared with the preoperation data(t=38, P 0.05). The mean range of motion of forward flexion, abduction, external rotation and interal rotation also improved significantly postoperatively compared with preoperative ones. Conclusion Three hundred and sixty degrees arthroscopic capsule release is an effective method for the treatment of primary frozen shoulder of which the mid-term clinical effect is satisfied. Key words: Arthroscopy; Shoulder joint