Arthroscopic release for frozen shoulder: Report of 25 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic capsular release of frozen shoulder.Methods Twenty-five patients with frozen shoulder were treated arthroscopically from October 2001 to October 2003 in this hospital.The operation was performed under general anesthesia.The arthoscope was inserted through a posterior approach and the radiofrequency electrotome was inserted via an anterior approach.The synovitis of the biceps tendon and the rotator interval was thermo-coagulated.The superior glenohumeral ligament,the middle glenohumeral ligament,and the intra-capsular part of subscapularis tendon were cut to release the capsule.The combination manipulation was performed to release the residual contracture.The range of motion of the shoulder and the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons(ASES) scores were recorded at 3 and 6 postoperative months,respectively.Results The operative time was 75~95 min(mean,85 min).No intraoperative complications were found.As compared with preoperative conditions,the motion of inward rotation revealed no significant improvement at 1 week after operation(?~2=8.558,P=0.073) and other shoulder motions were significantly improved at different postoperative stages(P0.05).Conclusions Arthroscopic release for the treatment of frozen shoulder may obviously shorten the period of the disease and obtain good curative effects.