Effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

IntroductionAdhesive capsulitis, also termed ‘frozen shoulder’, is a common cause of shoulder pain which is estimated to affect between 2% and 5% of the population. Many treatments have been advocated for the management of adhesive capsulitis and physiotherapeutic techniques were among the most common. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of physical treatments in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.Material and methodsIt was a retrospective descriptive study which included 114 patients (66 females, 48 males; mean age: 54 years). Patients were evaluated on the first, second, third and sixth months. Analogue visual scale (AVS) was used to measure pain and shoulder range of motion was determined using a goniometer.ResultsDominant side was affected in 60 patients (52.6%). At the beginning of treatment, the mean flexion was 100° (50°–130°), the mean abduction was 70° (50°–130°) and the mean external rotation was 10° (0°–35°). After 6 months of physical treatments, the mean flexion was 145° (70°–180°), the mean abduction was 120° (50°–180°) and the mean external rotation was 45° (10°–90°). All patients described an improvement in pain, 60 patients maintained a slight residual pain.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that physiotherapeutic interventions are beneficial in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis in terms of improving shoulder disability, pain and range of movement