Improvement of Range of Motion by Arthroscopic Capsular Release for the Treatment of the Frozen Shoulder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes and improvement of range of motion by arthroscopic capsular release for the treatment of the frozen shoulder. In this study, 100 cases of 100 shoulders including 21 cases of traumatic frozen shoulder due to the fracture (10 cases), dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint (2 cases) and rotator cuff tear (6 cases) and others (3 cases) and 79 cases of non-traumatic frozen shoulder due to calcium deposit (7 cases), atraumatic rotator cuff tear (23 cases) and idiopathic frozen shoulder (49 cases). The mean age of all cases was 55.4 years old ranging from 33 to 78 years old. The procedure was combined with arthroscopic capsular release and manipulation with additional procedure such as resection of the calcium deposit and rotator cuff repair. At a mean follow-up of 14 months, the clinical results of were evaluated by means of the JSS scores. JSS scores were improved from 58 points preoperatively to 95 points postoperatively. Pre and postoperative range of motion of flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation was also investigated and good improvement has been confirmed at the final follow up. In conclusion, the present study shows that arthroscopic capsular release for the treatment of frozen shoulder had favorable clinical results.