The pathophysiology associated with primary (idiopathic) frozen shoulder: A systematic review

The role of inflammatory markers in the differential diagnosis of stiff shoulder disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of pre-treatment inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), in distinguishing frozen shoulder (idiopathic stiff shoulder) from secondary stiff shoulder caused by shoulder pathologies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between February 2008 and August 2021, a total of 176 patients (64 males, 112 females; mean age: 54.0±9.9 years; range, 24 to 82 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients underwent analysis of surgical video recordings. Seventy-one patients with rotator cuff pathology were classified as having secondary stiff shoulders, while 105 patients without a history of trauma or cuff pathology were classified as having frozen shoulder (primary stiff shoulder). Demographic and preoperative laboratory data, including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet counts, along with NLR, PLR, and LMR values, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of WBC, neutrophils, and NLR were observed in patients with secondary stiff shoulder (p<0.001 for all). In contrast, LMR (p=0.013) and platelet values (p=0.046) were found to be significantly higher in the frozen shoulder group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding CRP, ESR, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, or PLR (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The NLR and LMR values have diagnostic utility in differentiating primary and secondary stiff shoulder. Elevated NLR values are associated with more acute inflammatory responses typical of secondary stiff shoulder, while higher LMR and platelet levels are linked to chronic and fibrotic processes observed in frozen shoulder.

Autologous Tendon "Bamboo Raft" Graft for Reconstruction of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Superior capsular reconstruction has shown long-term clinical effectiveness in treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, playing a key role in reducing humeral head translation and restoring the force-couple balance. Various graft techniques involving different types of grafts, such as autologous fascia lata, allogeneic dermal patches, and autologous long head of the biceps tendon, have been described. However, these approaches were often limited by factors such as extensive surgical trauma, high donor-site morbidity, and insufficient mechanical strength of the grafts. We describe autologous tendons, such as the hamstring tendon, fashioned into a "bamboo raft" configuration to create a graft for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. This technique offers several advantages, including minimal surgical trauma, low donor-site complication rates, and superior mechanical strength of the graft.

Assessing injectate spread in ultrasound-guided capsular hydro dilatation for adhesive capsulitis: A comparative MRI study of anterior rotator interval vs. posterior glenohumeral joint approaches

Adhesive capsulitis is a self-limiting condition of the shoulder, characterized by pain and limited range of motion (ROM). Intra-articular steroid injection and hydrodistension of the joint capsule are effective strategies for pain relief and improvement of ROM. Several randomized studies indicate that anterior rotator cuff interval (RCI) injections yield better outcomes than posterior glenohumeral (GH) joint injections. No study has examined the differences in injectate spread patterns between anterior RCI and posterior GH joint approaches. This study involved three patients with adhesive capsulitis who received ultrasound-guided shoulder joint injections with capsular hydrodilatation, utilizing 10 cc, via either the anterior RCI approach or the posterior GH joint approach. The injectate comprised 1 mL (80 mg) methylprednisolone acetate, 4 mL of 2 % lidocaine, and 5 mL of saline mixed with gadolinium contrast. Immediately following the injection, an MRI of the shoulder was performed to evaluate the distribution of the injectate. Injections via the anterior RCI approach exhibited significant intra-capsular spread and vital pathological intra-capsular and pericapsular structures. In contrast, posterior GH joint injections revealed restricted spread, mainly enlarging the joint recess without involvement of the pericapsular ligaments. This study highlights the distribution of injectate following an ultrasound-guided anterior shoulder joint injection, demonstrating that the anterior RCI approach effectively disperses a 10 mL injectate to the intra-capsular synovial lining and key pericapsular structures. The findings suggest that technique selection significantly impacts injectate distribution in adhesive capsulitis, with a 10 mL volume achieving optimal capsular distension without rupture.

Releasing Forces in Adhesive Capsulitis Are Imporant Indicators of Shoulder Stiffness and Postoperative Function

BACKGROUND

Manipulation under anesthesia is a widely used treatment for frozen shoulder, but the factors that influence patient outcomes after manipulation remain unclear. The degree of shoulder stiffness, a critical feature of frozen shoulder, likely reflects the severity of the condition but currently lacks standardized, objective assessment methods.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) What are the releasing forces in patients with frozen shoulder, and do the forces vary across different stages of frozen shoulder? (2) Are there differences in postoperative outcomes of manipulation under anesthesia among patients with frozen shoulder at different stages of the condition? (3) Is a higher releasing force associated with poorer outcomes of manipulation, and what threshold of releasing force is optimal for better outcomes? (4) What clinical factors influence the magnitude of releasing forces?

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included patients with primary unilateral frozen shoulder who underwent manipulation under anesthesia after at least 3 months of unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment, which was defined as progressive worsening ROM, failure to make progress, or residual functional impairment after 3 months of treatment. Between December 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, we treated 280 patients with unilateral frozen shoulder, all of whom were considered potentially eligible for this study. The inclusion criteria were: a reduction of passive external rotation in the affected shoulder to less than 50% compared with the contralateral side, at least 3 months of unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment, absence of shoulder trauma, radiographs and MRI showing no other pathologic lesions in the shoulder, and no prior medical history in the contralateral shoulder. The exclusion criteria were patients who had previously undergone shoulder surgery, those who had bilateral frozen shoulder, patients with anesthesia intolerance, and those with incomplete preoperative assessments. One hundred fifty-six patients were enrolled in follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months after manipulation. The mean ± SD age for enrolled patients was 54 ± 8 years, 35% (55 of 156) of all participants were male, and the mean BMI was 23 ± 3 kg/m2. Two percent (3 of 156) withdrew consent, and 4% (7 of 156) were lost to follow-up, leaving 94% (146 of 156) for analysis. The contralateral unaffected shoulder was used as a self-control. During the manipulation process, the force-time curves for the affected and unaffected shoulders were sequentially recorded using a handheld dynamometer, following the order of forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation. Two key force values, an initial tear value and a peak value, were extracted from the curve for the affected shoulder, while only the peak value was recorded for the unaffected shoulder. Passive ROM, the Oxford shoulder score (OSS), and the VAS were evaluated at the baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Patients were categorized into four stages according to the patient-reported duration of pain: Stage 1 (0 to 3 months), Stage 2 (3 to 9 months), Stage 3 (9 to 15 months), and Stage 4 (> 15 months). To address our first and second questions, we used ANOVA for multistage comparisons of continuous variables, followed by a post hoc Tukey test for pairwise comparisons. For the third question, we performed univariate regression to analyze the correlation between factors like age, sex, symptom duration, frozen shoulder stage, preoperative ROM, upper arm circumference, fat-free mass, diabetes, thyroid disease, hyperlipidemia, tear value, peak value, and 6-month postoperative ROM, VAS, and the OSS. Factors with p < 0.05 were included in a multivariate regression. A tear value threshold of poor ROM outcomes was evaluated with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Youden index. For the fourth question, we used similar regression models to examine potential factors associated with the releasing force, focusing on both tear and peak values. Pairwise comparisons in this subgroup analysis were performed using the Student t-test. All p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Tear values of each stage were as follows: 25 ± 13 N in Stage 2, 28 ± 15 N in Stage 3, and 38 ± 18 N in Stage 4. The tear value for patients in Stage 4 was higher compared with both Stage 2 and Stage 3 (Stage 4 versus Stage 2, mean difference 13 [95% CI 6 to 20]; p < 0.001; Stage 4 versus Stage 3, mean difference 10 [95% CI 2 to 19]; p = 0.01). Patients in Stage 4 exhibited an increased peak value relative to the other two stages (Stage 4 versus Stage 2, mean difference 11 [95% CI 2 to 20]; p = 0.02; Stage 4 versus Stage 3, mean difference 8 [95% CI 0 to 16]; p = 0.04). The peak value in the affected shoulder was higher than that in the unaffected (mean difference 40 [95% CI 36 to 44] in forward flexion; p < 0.001). At the 6-month endpoint after manipulation, patients in Stage 2 and 3 showed greater ROM in forward flexion than those in Stage 4 (Stage 2 versus Stage 4, mean difference 12 [95% CI 9 to 14]; p < 0.001; Stage 3 versus Stage 4, mean difference 14 [95% CI 11 to 17]; p < 0.001) and a lower OSS than those in Stage 4 (Stage 2 versus Stage 4, mean difference -8 [95% CI -9 to -7]; p < 0.001; Stage 3 versus Stage 4, mean difference -7 [95% CI -8 to -6]; p < 0.001). Two factors were associated with the OSS at the 6-month endpoint: increased tear value (β = 0.47; p = 0.004) and diabetes (β = 0.28; p = 0.02). The optimal thresholds for predicting a forward flexion at least 164° at 6 months was a tear value of 53 N (area under curve [AUC] 0.79 [95% CI 0.68 to 0.91]). Patients with a tear value of below 53 N demonstrated better postoperative ROM (mean difference 10 [95% CI 3 to 16]; p = 0.004) and OSS (mean difference -4 [95% CI -8 to 0]; p = 0.04). The tear value was associated with male sex (β = 0.36; p = 0.03) and ROM in flexion (β = 0.20; p = 0.049), whereas peak value was associated with male sex (β = 0.45; p = 0.001) and diabetes (β = 0.16; p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that performing manipulation before reaching Stage 4 may result in more favorable outcomes for patients, and evaluating shoulder stiffness by measuring releasing force proved to be feasible.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prognostic study.

Understanding Scapulohumeral Periarthritis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review examines the clinical presentations and prevalence of scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP) by synthesizing the relevant literature from open-access articles from international databases (Medline, Pedro, and EBSCO).

METHODS

Keywords guiding the review included 'scapulohumeral periarthritis', 'clinical forms', 'incidence', 'impingement syndrome, 'calcifying tendinitis', 'bicipital tendonitis', 'shoulder bursitis', 'adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder', 'rotator cuff tears', 'functional assessment', and 'clinical trials'. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, and review articles published between 1972 and 2024.

RESULTS

Our screening identified 2481 initial articles, of which 621 were further reviewed for eligibility resulting in 107 articles that met the relevance criteria. The findings highlight six distinct clinical forms of SP, such as partial rotator cuff tears and calcific tendinitis, each characterized by specific pathological features and prevalence patterns. Key factors contributing to SP include injuries, scapular instability, acromion deformities, and degenerative rotator cuff changes. Functional assessments, including the Neer, Hawkins, Pain Arc, and Yocum tests, demonstrated diagnostic value in distinguishing SP from other shoulder conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

By comprehensively analyzing the clinical forms, functional assessment methods, and prevalent lesions of SP, functional testing can improve early diagnosis and guide personalized physiotherapy protocols for optimal rehabilitation in the physiotherapist's practice.

Rat models of frozen shoulder: Classification and evaluation

Frozen shoulder (FS), also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes contraction and stiffness of the shoulder joint capsule. The main symptoms are persistent shoulder pain and a limited range of motion in all directions. These symptoms and poor prognosis affect people's physical health and quality of life. Currently, the specific mechanisms of FS remain unclear, and there is variability in treatment methods and their efficacy. Additionally, the early symptoms of FS are difficult to distinguish from those of other shoulder diseases, complicating early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and utilize animal models to understand the pathogenesis of FS and to explore treatment strategies, providing insights into the prevention and treatment of human FS. This paper reviews the rat models available for FS research, including external immobilization models, surgical internal immobilization models, injection modeling models, and endocrine modeling models. It introduces the basic procedures for these models and compares and analyzes the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of each modeling method. Finally, our paper summarizes the common methods for evaluating FS rat models.

Relationship Between Metabolic Profile, Pain, and Functionality in Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Frozen shoulder (FS), or adhesive capsulitis, is a disabling condition characterized by pain and restricted shoulder mobility.

AIMS

This study investigates the relationship between metabolic biomarkers-liver enzymes and thyroid function-and pain and shoulder functionality in patients with FS.

METHODS

A total of 32 patients (22 women and 10 men) were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent clinical evaluations and blood tests to assess metabolic biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Pain and functionality were measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between biomarkers, pain, and functionality.

RESULTS

Significant negative correlations were found between AST (r = -0.528, p = 0.029), ALT (r = -0.533, p = 0.027), GGT (r = -0.602, p = 0.011), and TSH (r = -0.556, p = 0.017) with total pain scores. A significant negative correlation was also observed between TSH and SPADI scores (r = -0.511, p = 0.039). Multiple regression analysis showed that GGT (β = -0.335, p = 0.008) and TSH (β = -0.298, p = 0.014) were the strongest predictors of pain. These findings suggest that metabolic biomarkers, particularly liver enzymes and thyroid function, play a significant role in the pathophysiology of frozen shoulder. The results highlight the importance of assessing these biomarkers for better understanding and managing pain and functionality in patients with FS.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Effects of supplementing extracorporeal shockwave therapy to hyaluronic acid injection among patients with rotator cuff lesions without complete tear: a prospective double-blinded randomized study

BACKGROUND

The study investigates the combined efficacy of subacromial hyaluronic acid (HA) injections and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in managing rotator cuff lesions without complete tears.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible patients were randomized into three groups: three HA injections combined with two sham ESWT (HA), three HA injections combined with one ESWT and one sham ESWT (HA + 1 ESWT), or three HA injections combined with two ESWT (HA + 2 ESWT) with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Constant-Murley Score (CMS), range of motion (ROM), and muscle power of shoulder abduction (MP) were assessed preintervention and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postinitial HA injection. Shoulder MRI was conducted before and 12 months after the intervention.

RESULTS

All pertinent parameters showed no significant between-group differences at baseline but demonstrated significant within-group improvement throughout the study. The HA + 1 ESWT group demonstrated superior improvements in MP ( P =0.011) and CMS ( P =0.018) at 1 month, and in MP ( P =0.014) and CMS ( P =0.005) at 6 months, compared to the HA group. The HA + 2 ESWT group showed greater improvements in FF ( P =0.027), IR ( P =0.019), and SROM ( P =0.025) at 1 month, and in ABD ( P =0.022) at 6 months, compared to the HA group. Notably, the HA + 2 ESWT group exhibited greater improvements in FF ( P =0.013), IR ( P =0.019), and SROM ( P =0.025) at 1 month, and in FF ( P =0.007) at 3 months, than the HA + 1 ESWT group. Moreover, no deterioration in tendinopathy grading or tear status occurred in the HA + 1 ESWT group on MRI scans.

CONCLUSION

ESWT provides additional benefits when combined with HA injections for patients with rotator cuff lesions lacking complete tears.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound of the shoulder in patients with adhesive capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is a common pathological condition of the shoulder that affects the general population. The aim of the present study was to explore shoulder ultrasonographic findings in patients with adhesive capsulitis. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 96 patients with adhesive capsulitis. Abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings were found in all participants. The top three abnormal ultrasonographic imaging features were biceps tendon effusion (71.8%), positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement (56.2%) and subdeltoid-subacromial bursitis (47.9%). By assessing the relationship between limited functional shoulder range of motion (ROM) and abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings, limited passive ROM (PROM) with shoulder flexion of ≤120 degrees was found to be significantly associated with positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. Similarly, limited PROM in shoulder abduction of ≤130 degrees was found to be significantly associated with subdeltoid and subacromial bursitis, as well as positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. In addition, limited PROM with shoulder internal rotation of ≤60 degrees was significantly associated with positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. Varying abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings were obtained in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Therefore, it should be cautioned that relying solely on physical examination may not accurately indicate true shoulder pathology and it is suggested that the final diagnosis should be based on a combination of the patients' clinical and overall ultrasonographic findings.

Pharmacoacupuncture for the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Pharmacoacupuncture (PA) is an alternative injection therapy for a broad range of conditions. This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness and safety of PA in treating frozen shoulder (FS) and aims to standardise PA characteristics in clinical practice.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing PA for FS were systematically reviewed from seven electronic databases up to August 31, 2023. Outcomes measured included the visual analogue scale (VAS) or numerical rating scale (NRS), effective rate, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), ROM, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3, with the risk of bias in each trial evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool assessed the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

Thirteen RCTs involving 1034 patients met the inclusion criteria, with eleven RCTs and 872 patients included in the meta-analysis. PA showed low-quality evidence of improvement in VAS, effective rate, CMS Total, and CMS Pain. Moderate-quality evidence indicated improvement in CMS ADL and CMS Mobility. PA was effective in four SF-36 subscales: physical function, social role function, mental health, and emotional role function. No significant difference in CMS strength was observed. One trial reported mild anaphylaxis reaction to bee venom as an adverse event.

CONCLUSION

PA may offer potential benefits as an alternative injection therapy for FS patients. Further well-designed RCTs with rigorous methodology are required to substantiate its therapeutic efficacy and clinical utility.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42023445708).

The link between osteoporosis and frozen shoulder: exploring the therapeutic effect of TAK715 on reversing fibrosis and protecting against osteoporosis via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

The global incidence of frozen shoulder (FS) (2% ~ 5%) and osteoporosis (OP) is high (9.1%-12.1%). Clinically, postmenopausal women are particularly at risk for both diseases. The main objective of this current research is to investigate the pathogenesis mechanism of FS and explore the connection between FS and OP.

METHODS

We obtained FS and OP datasets from GEO and identified crosstalk genes. Following KEGG and GO enrich analysis, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was focused and the specific p38α inhibitor TAK715 was screened out. We conducted flow cytometry, western blot, and PCR analyses to assess the treatment effect of TAK715 on FS synovium fibroblasts at different concentrations. Additionally, we employed SD rats to validate the treatment effects of TAK715 in vivo.

RESULTS

TAK715 was useful in reversing fibrosis at the concentration of 1 μM, 5 μM and 10 μM. The unbalanced apoptosis process in frozen shoulder cell and the activation of osteoclast were inhibited at the concentration of 5 μM by TAK715. Then we successfully established a FS and OP rat model, with the FS with OP rat displaying less range of motion (ROM) and thicker shoulder capsule. In FS rat that was treated with TAK715, the frozen shoulder side was corrected in ROM and bone loss.

CONCLUSIONS

The frozen shoulder with osteoporosis may exhibit more severe symptoms, and TAK715 is effective in protecting fibrosis and osteoporosis both in vitro and vivo. The therapy to correct FS and OP simultaneously by TAK715 provides novel approach in FS treatment and study.

Does the intervention for adhesive capsulitis in patients with diabetes differ from that for patients without diabetes?: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is often accompanied by pain and restriction in range of movement, which long lasting symptoms often have negative impact on patients' work and lives. Since diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk factor for developing AC, and AC with DM have more limitations of joint motion than general people.

AIMS

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the difference of clinical efficacy between diabetes and non-diabetes, and to explore whether AC with diabetes need special intervention compared to non-diabetes.

METHODS

Pubmed NCBI and Embase were searched for studies published in the last 30 years. We conducted a literature search for terms regarding AC and DM on Pubmed NCBI and Embase.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies eligible for inclusion. The affected shoulders in these studies ranged from 26 to 135, 460 shoulders (551 participants) in total, including 166 shoulders in diabetic group and 394 shoulders in non-diabetic/idiopathic group. Interventions included shock wave therapy, hydrodilatation, arthroscopic capsular release, manipulation under cervical nerve root block. Evaluation indicators included pain, certain shoulder questionnaires, range of motion. Positive clinical efficacy were emerged after interventions between the 2 groups. The studies that better improvement of pain in non-diabetic/idiopathic group were 2 of 6, that of certain shoulder questionnaires were 4 of 8, that of range of motion were 3 of 6.

CONCLUSIONS

Whether AC combined with DM or not, the current treatment could achieve positive clinical effectiveness and there is some statistical evidence show that the curative effect of AC combined with DM is worse than non-diabetic. In other words, the available evidence suggests that patients with DM might require additional rehabilitation measures with routine glycemic control.

The clinical course and outcomes following arthroscopic frozen shoulder 360° release

Background

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a debilitating inflammatory condition affecting the shoulder capsule that causes significant pain and stiffness. Its etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment remain poorly understood. Although regarded as self-limiting, FS can have profound implications on the activities of daily living and usually takes 1-4 years to resolve on its own accord. In recalcitrant or severe cases where active range of motion (AROM) is extensively restricted, an arthroscopic 360° release may be performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes following the FS 360° arthroscopic release.

Methods

An observational prospective cohort study was conducted assessing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients who underwent the 360° arthroscopic release between July 2013 and January 2019. Various questionnaires were used to evaluate their shoulder preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively. Relevant PROMs included the Oxford Shoulder Score; Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Constant-Murley Score; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; and general measures of pain intensity (visual analog scale) and well-being (EQ-5D-3L). AROM movements included forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, as well as external and internal rotation at 90° of abduction.

Results

Fifty consented patients underwent the arthroscopic FS 360° release. The mean age was 52.1 ± 7.7 years (range 35-72), and mean body mass index was 27.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2 (range 19.5-37.5). All PROMs, AROM movements, patient satisfaction, and EQ-5D-3L scores improved significantly between preoperative and 24-month time points (P < .001). Within-participant analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the pathological shoulder AROM and the contralateral (healthy) shoulder AROM (collected preoperatively) for any movement at 24 months postoperatively (all P > .05). No complications or reoperations were reported.

Conclusion

The arthroscopic 360° release is an effective and safe treatment modality for severe or recalcitrant FS. Statistically and clinically significant improvements in AROM and PROMs (Oxford Shoulder Score; Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Constant-Murley Score; and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score) occurred shortly after the surgery and progressively improved from 2 weeks to 24 months postoperatively, with the operative shoulder achieving similar range of motion as the nonpathological contralateral shoulder at 24 months.

Exploring Pathogenic Genes in Frozen Shoulder through weighted gene co-expression network analysis and Mendelian Randomization

Background: Frozen shoulder (FS) is characterized by the thickening and fibrosis of the joint capsule, leading to joint contracture and a reduction in joint volume. The precise etiology responsible for these pathological changes remains elusive. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to explore the potential involvement of pathogenic genes in FS and analyze their underlying roles in the disease progression. Methods: Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were employed to investigate co-expressed genes potentially associated with FS. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were conducted to elucidate the potential roles of these co-expressed genes. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed using expression quantitative trait loci datasets for the co-expressed genes, combined with summary statistics from the genome-wide association study of FS, aiming to identify key genes causally associated with FS. The identified key genes were further validated through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Additionally, a nomogram model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were established to assess the diagnostic value of the hub genes. Furthermore, the infiltration of immune cells was evaluated using the CIBERSORT algorithm and the relationship between key genes and immune-infiltrating cells was analyzed. Results: 295 overlapping co-expressed genes were identified by intersecting the differentially expressed genes with the hub genes obtained from associated modules identified through WGCNA. Utilizing MR analysis, four key genes, namely ADAMTS1, NR4A2, PARD6G and SMKR1, were found to exhibit positive causal relationships with FS, which were subsequently validated through RT-qPCR analysis. Moreover, the diagnostic value of these four key genes was demonstrated through the development of a nomogram model and the construction of ROC curves. Notably, a causal relationship between ADAMTS1 and immune cell infiltration in FS was observed. Conclusion: Our study suggested genetic predisposition to higher expression levels of ADAMTS1, NR4A2, PARD6G and SMKR1, was associated with an increased risk of FS. Further investigations elucidating the functional roles of these genes will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of FS and may facilitate the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Association between Shoulder Dysfunction and Concomitant Neck Disability in Patients with Shoulder Disorders

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the impact of shoulder dysfunction on concomitant neck disability in patients with shoulder disorders.

Methods

The participants were patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and frozen shoulder (FS). Twenty patients with SIS and 21 with FS without cervical radiculopathy were enrolled. The participants were assessed for the 4-week prevalence of neck pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), shoulder strength and range of motion, a short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (quick-DASH), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).

Results

The 4-week prevalence of neck pain was 12 out of 20 (60%) in patients with SIS and 13 out of 21 (62%) in patients with FS. The median NDIs were 13 and 12 for SIS and FS, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. About 41% (17/41) of the participants displayed an NDI greater than the cutoff value for disability in daily living. Although shoulder abduction strength correlated with the NDI in patients with SIS, the PCS score correlated with the NDI in patients with FS.

Conclusions

Concomitant neck disability is a critical concern for patients with shoulder disorders. The clinical factors related to concomitant neck disability differ between SIS and FS, with specific interventions recommended for each condition.

Relationship between self-reported impairments and clinical examination of upper extremity in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Upper Extremity Impairments (UEIs) in type 2 DM(Diabetes Mellitus) usually occur after other complications of DM have occurred and can lead to disability and severely impact the quality of life. This study aimed to identify the UEIs by self-reported questionnaire and clinical findings and to investigate whether self-reported impairments conform to clinical findings and whether any vital questions about UEIs can be identified to screen the UEIs quickly in type 2 DM comprehensive assessment.

METHODS

91 medically diagnosed type 2 DM subjects were enlisted at a tertiary care hospital per the inclusion and exclusion criteria to participate in the study. Participants were asked to fill out a self-reported questionnaire regarding UEIs, following which a clinical examination of the upper extremity was performed to identify the UEIs.

RESULTS

85% of the participants self-reported UEIs. Self-reported shoulder pain was reported by n = 34 (37.3%), stiffness by n = 21(23.1%), and hand weakness by n = 24 (26.4%). Clinical examination of shoulder and hand revealed impairments such as hands against the back in n = 30(33%), lift-off sign in 22(24.1%), decreased finger extension in 11(12.1%), and thenar strength in 9(9.9%). Self-reported shoulder pain and hand stiffness were associated with clinically examined decreased shoulder mobility and rotator cuff (RC) tests (p < 0.05). Grip strength, thenar strength, and Phalen's sign decreased significantly with self-reported hand weakness (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported shoulder pain and stiffness, hand stiffness, and weakness should be used to identify patients with UEIs needing comprehensive assessment and treatment. Significantly self-reported hand impairments can also be an indication to screen shoulder pathologies.

The S2e Guideline on Shoulder Stiffness

The clinical picture of "frozen shoulder" is still poorly understood. In order to present the current state of knowledge on aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment, and to provide recommendations for the professional groups involved, a working group was formed by the DGOU and the DVSE to create a German language, evidence-based guideline, which was published in 2022 by the AWMF. The following summarises the development and the most important results.

Study of Functional Outcome of Intra-articular Steroid Injection and Manipulation of Shoulder Joints in Frozen Shoulder

INTRODUCTION

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is characterized by the insidious onset of pain and progressive loss of global active and passive mobility of the glenohumeral joint, which can be treated by non-surgical or surgical methods. This study was done to evaluate the functional outcome of intra-articular (I/A) steroid injection and manipulation of the shoulder joint manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) in frozen shoulder.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Pokhara, Nepal. A total of 35 patients over 40 years were included in the study. All the patients underwent I/A steroid injection and MUA. The functional outcome was evaluated using a Constant-Murley shoulder score (CSS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring system.

RESULT

The mean age was 53.46±7.524 years. Twenty-two were female, while 13 were male. Twelve patients were associated with diabetes. Minor complications were noted in 15 patients (14 with transient pain and one with facial flushing). At 12 weeks, the mean VAS score was 2.16±1.33 cm, and the mean CSS score was 82.66±7.008. At 24 weeks, the mean VAS was 1.534±1.195 cm, and the mean CSS score was 85.77±6.998.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that patients with frozen shoulder treated with I/A steroid injection and MUA give excellent functional outcomes in most patients.

Can magnetic resonance imaging distinguish clinical stages of frozen shoulder? A state-of-the-art review

Background

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a common disorder causing shoulder pain and limited motion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is expected to help diagnose FS and realize the disease stage if stage-specific features are present. We aimed to survey stage-related MRI findings of FS in the literature.

Methods

MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched with search terms "frozen shoulder" or "adhesive capsulitis" combined with "magnetic resonance imaging." Studies that discussed MRI findings in relation to FS stages were retrieved. The course of FS was divided into stages 1 to 4 according to Hannafin and Chiaia.

Results

Two of the noncontrast-enhanced MRI findings were stage-related. T2 signal hyperintensity of the joint capsule was more frequent in stages 1 and 2. The axillary capsule thickness was greater in stages 1 and 2. However, these findings were also seen in the later stages to a lesser degree. Effusion around the long head of biceps, subcoracoid fat obliteration, and coracohumeral ligament thickening were common in FS but their relation to the stages was not evident. Signal enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI was not consistently linked to stages.

Conclusion

T2 signal hyperintensity and axillary capsule thickening are characteristic of the early stages of FS, although MRI alone cannot completely define the disease stage.

Diagnostic Value of Superb Microvascular Imaging of the Rotator Cuff Interval for the Early Diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder

Purpose

To explore the early diagnostic value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) features within the rotator cuff gap for frozen shoulder.

Patients and Methods

This prospective study enrolled patients with acute early-stage frozen shoulder seeking treatment at Zhabei Central Hospital in Jing'an District, Shanghai, between July 2021 and December 2022 were enrolled in this study. Healthy controls were collected in a 1:1 ratio from the same hospital's physical examination center. All participants underwent SMI and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) of the rotator cuff gap.

Results

The study included 79 patients with frozen shoulder and 77 healthy controls. Compared with the healthy control group, the patient group had a higher proportion of hypoechoic rotator cuff gap (81.0% vs 48.1%, P<0.001), a thicker coracohumeral ligament (2.60±1.01 vs 2.03±0.97, P<0.001), a thicker glenohumeral joint capsule (3.10±0.99 vs 2.46±1.17, P<0.001), and elevated blood grading using SMI (P<0.001) and PDUS (P=0.014). The highest area under the curve (AUC) was observed for SMI blood flow grading (AUC=0.824, 95% CI: 0.755-0.880, P<0.001), resulting in 82% sensitivity and 77% specificity when using a cutoff of 1. SMI blood flow grading was associated with external rotation <30° (P=0.007) and abduction <30° (P=0.013) but not with internal rotation <30° (P=0.630) or flexion <30° (P=0.562).

Conclusion

The grading of SMI blood flow may emerge as a valuable predictive indicator for the early stages of frozen shoulder. This simple ultrasound technique holds the potential to enhance the diagnostic process, enabling early initiation of treatment and potentially improving patient outcomes.

Patient experiences of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder: A longitudinal qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Frozen shoulder is a condition associated with severe shoulder pain and loss of function impacting on a persons' physical and mental health. Hydrodistension treatment that has been widely adopted within the UK National Health Service for the condition. However, evidence of clinical effectiveness and understanding of the patient experiences of this treatment are lacking. This study explored the experiences of people with a frozen shoulder who received hydrodistension treatment.

METHODS

A qualitative design with repeat semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants' experiences of hydrodistension treatment. Participants were interviewed 2-4 weeks and again at 8-10 weeks after treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research.

RESULTS

15 participants were interviewed online or over the phone. Three themes were identified: 'Preparing for and having a hydrodistension', 'Physiotherapy after hydrodistension', and 'Outcome of hydrodistension '. Participants believed hydrodistension would benefit them, was well tolerated by many, and the effects were apparent to most within the first week. Physiotherapy still seemed to be valued to support recovery beyond this timepoint, despite these early effects. Some participant's experienced harms including severe procedural pain and blood sugar dysregulation.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to investigate the experiences of people who undergo hydrodistension for frozen shoulder. Hydrodistension appears an acceptable treatment to participants with a frozen shoulder, acceptability is enhanced through adequate shared decision making. Further high-quality research is required to understand the comparative effectiveness of hydrodistension as a treatment for frozen shoulder, including adverse events, and the benefit of treatment by a physiotherapist after hydrodistension.

Anti-TNF (adalimumab) injection for the treatment of pain-predominant early-stage frozen shoulder: the Anti-Freaze-Feasibility randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The Anti-Freaze-F (AFF) trial assessed the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial to determine whether intra-articular injection of adalimumab can reduce pain and improve function in people with pain-predominant early-stage frozen shoulder.

DESIGN

Multicentre, randomised feasibility trial, with embedded qualitative study.

SETTING

Four UK National Health Service (NHS) musculoskeletal and related physiotherapy services.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults ≥18 years with new episode of shoulder pain attributable to early-stage frozen shoulder.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised (centralised computer generated 1:1 allocation) to either ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of: (1) adalimumab (160 mg) or (2) placebo (saline (0.9% sodium chloride)). Participants and outcome assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. Second injection of allocated treatment (adalimumab 80 mg) or equivalent placebo was administered 2-3 weeks later. PRIMARY FEASIBILITY OBJECTIVES: (1) Ability to screen and identify participants; (2) willingness of eligible participants to consent and be randomised; (3) practicalities of delivering the intervention; (4) SD of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score and attrition rate at 3 months.

RESULTS

Between 31 May 2022 and 7 February 2023, 156 patients were screened of whom 39 (25%) were eligible. The main reasons for ineligibility were other shoulder disorder (38.5%; n=45/117) or no longer in pain-predominant frozen shoulder (33.3%; n=39/117). Of the 39 eligible patients, nine (23.1%) consented to be randomised (adalimumab n=4; placebo n=5). The main reason patients declined was because they preferred receiving steroid injection (n=13). All participants received treatment as allocated. The mean time from randomisation to first injection was 12.3 (adalimumab) and 7.2 days (placebo). Completion rates for patient-reported and clinician-assessed outcomes were 100%.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that current NHS musculoskeletal physiotherapy settings yielded only small numbers of participants, too few to make a trial viable. This was because many patients had passed the early stage of frozen shoulder or had already formulated a preference for treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN 27075727, EudraCT 2021-03509-23, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05299242 (REC 21/NE/0214).

Additional Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy with Lidocaine Injection on Clinical and MRI Findings in Frozen Shoulder: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Frozen shoulder is a very common musculoskeletal condition and the evidence related to the additional effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with intra-articular (IA) lidocaine injection in individuals with frozen shoulder is rare. Therefore, this study aims to compare and investigate the additional effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with intra-articular (IA) lidocaine injection in a frozen shoulder.

METHODS

Sixty eligible participants with frozen shoulder were included and the active group (n = 30, age 52.12 ± 5.2 years) received a lidocaine injection (1% lidocaine (Xylocaine) and 2cc (80 mg) methylprednisolone acetate) with active ESWT (3.5 bar air pressure and 2000 pulses with an energy flux density (EFD) ¼ 0.16 mJ/mm2) three sessions a week for 4 weeks. The placebo group (n = 30, age 53.56 ± 5.5 years) received lidocaine injection with placebo treatment (a special head that blocked the shock waves) three sessions a week for 4 weeks. Both groups received progressive resistance exercises (PRE) to the shoulder muscles. The primary outcome was pain intensity, measured with the visual analogue scale. The other outcome measures were the thickness of the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), abduction, and lateral rotation range of motion (ROM), functional disability, kinesiophobia, depression status, and quality of life. Participants were assessed at baseline, after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The post-intervention at 4 weeks showed an improvement of 2.0 (CI 95% 1.71-2.28) in the active group compared to the placebo group. Similar effects were noted after 8 weeks (2.2) (CI 95% 1.91-2.48) and at the 6-month (1.9) (CI 95% 1.61-2.18) follow-up. Similar improvements were also found in the thickness of the CHL ligament (0.6) (CI 95% 0.46-0.73), abduction and lateral rotation (ROM) (- 23.6) (CI 95% - 27.47 to -19.72), (- 18.10) (CI 95% - 19.72 to - 16.47), functional disability (16.2) (CI 95% 14.85-17.54), kinesiophobia (11.0 (CI 95% 10.21-11.98), depression status (4.4) (CI 95% 4.03-4.76) and quality of life (0.9) (CI 95% 0.79-1.00) (p = 0.001) at the 6-month follow-up period, where mean estimates and their confidence intervals all included worthwhile effects. There were no adverse reactions or side effects noted in either the active or placebo groups during and after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that the addition of extracorporeal shockwave therapy after intra-articular lidocaine injection improves pain, functional disability, range of motion, kinesiophobia, depression status, and quality of life in people with frozen shoulder.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://ctri.nic.in , identifier; CTRI/2020/04/024834 prospectively registered on 24/04/2020.

Efficacy of Combination Therapy (Hydrodilatation and Subdeltoid Bursa Injection With Corticosteroid, Mobilization, and Physical Therapy) vs Physical Therapy Alone for Treating Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Trial, Phase I

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of combination therapy (hydrodilatation and subdeltoid bursa injection with corticosteroid, mobilization, and physical therapy [PT]) with that of PT alone for treating frozen shoulder.

DESIGN

A prospective, 2-arm parallel, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Rehabilitation clinic of a private academic hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (n=70) with frozen shoulder (freezing stage).

INTERVENTIONS

Participants (n=35) in the combination group underwent hydrodilatation and subdeltoid bursa injection with corticosteroid twice, mobilization, and usual-care PT for 8 weeks; participants (n=35) in the PT group received only the usual-care PT for 8 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was the primary outcome measure. The secondary outcome measures were pain scores on a visual analog scale, range of motion (ROM), the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ), quality of life (evaluated using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]), and self-assessment of the treatment effect.

RESULTS

Compared with the PT group, the combination group had significantly better pain (during activity), SPADI, SDQ, active and passive ROM, and self-assessment scores (all P<.001) as well as scores on some parts of the SF-36 (physical function and bodily pain, P<.05). Between-group differences were significant at the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of hydrodilatation (with corticosteroid), bursal corticosteroid injection, and joint mobilization with PT was superior to PT alone for treating frozen shoulder, and the effects persisted for at least 6 months.

Frozen shoulder. An overview of pathology and biology with hopes to novel drug therapies

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a common disorder characterized by spontaneous onset of shoulder pain accompanied by progressive loss of range-of-motions. The cause of FS is still unclear, and radical therapy has not been established. With the final aim of preventing or curing FS at an earlier stage, we reviewed the pathological and biological features of this disease. Many studies indicate that the main pathology of FS is inflammation initially and fibrosis later. There are inflammatory cytokines, immune cells, fibrotic growth factors, and type-III collagen in the synovium and the joint capsule. The immune cell landscape switches from the macrophages to T cells. Activated fibroblasts seem to regulate the inflammatory and fibrotic processes. The imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases might promote fibrosis. Additionally, advanced glycation end-products are noted in the FS synovium. Diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism are closely related to the development of FS. In terms of nonsurgical treatment, oral or intra-articular glucocorticoids are the only drugs that provide early benefit. Some other anti-inflammatory or antifibrotic drugs may potentially control the FS, but have not been proven effective in the clinical setting. Future studies should be targeted to develop steroid-sparing agents that inhibit biological events in FS.

Arthroscopic treatment for rotator cuff injury and frozen shoulder with concomitant rotator cuff injury: analysis of efficacy and factors influencing prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy of arthroscopic treatment for patients with rotator cuff injuries and frozen shoulder combined with rotator cuff injuries and assess the factors influencing patient prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 85 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery at Hanzhong Central Hospital between October 2016 and October 2021, including 42 patients treated for rotator cuff injuries alone (Group A), and 43 patients for frozen shoulder combined with rotator cuff injuries (Group B). Both groups underwent general anesthesia with controlled hypotension during surgery. Treatment outcomes, including shoulder joint functional scores, pain scores, shoulder joint range of motion, and muscle strength were assessed and compared between the two groups before treatment, as well as at 2 weeks and 2 months post-treatment. Quality of life was also evaluated and compared at 2 months post-treatment. Patients were categorized into good and poor prognosis groups based on their outcome, and factors influencing patient prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Before treatment, both groups exhibited relatively low shoulder joint function scores and external rotation angles, coupled with higher pain scores; however, these differences were not significant between groups (all P>0.05). The surgery duration for Group B was notably longer than that of Group A (P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant variance in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). After a 2-week treatment duration, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in shoulder joint function score, pain score, and shoulder joint range of motion compared to baseline, but with no statistically significant intergroup differences. However, two months after the treatment, patients in Group A exhibited marked improvements in shoulder joint function score, pain score, shoulder joint range of motion, and overall quality of life compared to Group B (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy in Group A was superior to that in Group B at the 2-month follow-up (P<0.05). Age, comorbid diabetes, metabolic disorders such as thyroid dysfunction, and the extent of shoulder cuff injury were identified as independent risk factors influencing prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic treatment is effective for both frozen shoulder combined with rotator cuff injury and rotator cuff injury alone, with better outcomes observed in patients with rotator cuff injury only. This technique warrants further promotion.

Predictive Factors of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections With Ultrasound-Guided Posterior Capsule Approach for Patients With Primary Adhesive Capsulitis

BACKGROUND

Adhesive capsulitis affects the shoulder joint, causing pain and limiting motion. In clinical practice, the effectiveness of injections varies, and the factors influencing their success remain unclear. This study investigates the predictors of effective corticosteroid injections in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis.

DESIGN

This retrospective study enrolled adhesive capsulitis patients older than 35 yrs who received intra-articular corticosteroid injections. The response was determined based on patients' pain and range of motion 3 mos after the injection. Demographic data, medical comorbidities, and radiographic parameters (critical shoulder angle and acromial index) were compared between the effective and noneffective groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of injection effectiveness.

RESULTS

This study included 325 patients with primary adhesive capsulitis, who were divided into responder (189 patients, 58.2%) and nonresponder (136 patients, 41.8%) groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the acromial index score indicated favorable discrimination for predicting a poor response to injections, whereas the critical shoulder angle score did not. Logistic regression revealed that the pain period, diabetes mellitus, and acromial index are predictors of nonresponders to injections.

CONCLUSIONS

Long pain duration, the presence of diabetes mellitus, and an acromial index score greater than 0.711 were predictors of nonresponse to corticosteroid injections for primary adhesive capsulitis patients.

The effect of cellular nuclear function alteration on the pathogenesis of shoulder adhesive capsulitis: an immunohistochemical study on lamin A/C expression

BACKGROUND

The network of intermediate filament proteins underlying the inner nuclear membrane forms the nuclear lamina. Lamins have been associated with important cellular functions: DNA replication, chromatin organization, differentiation of the cell, apoptosis and in maintenance of nuclear structure. Little is known regarding the etiopathogenesis of adhesive capsulitis (AC); recently, a dysregulating fibrotic response starting from a subpopulation has been described within the fibroblast compartment, which suddenly turns on an activated phenotype. Considering the key role of A-type lamins in the regulation of cellular stability and function, our aim was to compare the lamin A/C expression between patients with AC and healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was performed between January 2020 and December 2021. Tissue samples excised from the rotator interval were analysed for lamin A/C expression by immunohistochemistry. Patients with AC were arbitrarily distinguished according to the severity of shoulder flexion limitation: ≥ 90° and < 90°. Controls were represented by samples obtained by normal rotator interval excised from patients submitted to shoulder surgery. The intensity of staining was graded, and an H-score was assigned. Statistical analysis was performed (Chi-square analysis; significance was set at alpha = 0.05).

RESULTS

We enrolled 26 patients [12 male and 14 female, mean age (SD): 52.3 (6.08)] and 15 controls [6 male and 9 female, mean age (SD): 57.1 (5.3)]. The expression of lamin A/C was found to be significantly lower in the fibroblasts of patients with adhesive capsulitis when compared with controls (intensity of staining: p: 0.005; H-score: 0.034); no differences were found regarding the synoviocytes (p: > 0.05). Considering only patients with AC, lamin A/C intensity staining was found to be significantly higher in samples where acute inflammatory infiltrate was detected (p: 0.004). No significant changes in levels of lamin A/C expression were documented between the mild and severe adhesive capsulitis severity groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that the activity of lamin A/C in maintaining nuclear structural integrity and cell viability is decreased in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The phase of the pathogenetic process (freezing and early frozen) is the key factor for cell functionality. On the contrary, the clinical severity of adhesive capsulitis plays a marginal role in nuclear stability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Continuous suprascapular nerve blockade to potentiate intensive rehabilitation for refractory adhesive shoulder capsulitis: a cohort study

PURPOSE

Evaluating the short- and long-term efficacy of a continuous ten day suprascapular nerve block combined with daily multidisciplinary rehabilitation on shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain, and function in patients with refractory adhesive capsulitis (AC).

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients admitted to a specialized pain clinic for refractory AC for more than 6 months underwent continuous suprascapular nerve blockade for ten days and received 2 hours of physiotherapy and occupational therapy daily. Standardized assessments were performed at baseline, at days three, six, ten, 30, 90, and 180, and included active and passive ROM measurements, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire to assess pain, disability, and quality of life. Improvements over time were assessed using ANOVAs.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were followed (age: 52 ± 8 years, 25 females, mean symptoms duration of two years). There was a significant improvement in ROM for all amplitudes at day ten (short-term; range: 20-35°, p < 0.001) and at day 180 (long-term; range: 18-47°, p < 0.001). The pain and disability scores significantly reduced by day 180 (mean VAS reduction: 2.6 units, p < 0.001; mean DASH reduction: 9.5 points, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Continuous SSNB combined with intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation represents an efficient therapeutic option for patients with chronic AC who did not respond to conventional treatments.

Posterior capsule edema in adhesive capsulitis: comparison with established non-contrast MRI findings and multivariable analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate posterior glenohumeral capsule edema compared to other MRI findings in adhesive capsulitis (AC).

METHODS

This study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board and it is HIPAA compliant. A retrospective search identified subjects who received fluoroscopically guided intra-articular corticosteroid injections for AC and had an MRI within 6 months prior to injection. The study group was compared with an age-, sex-, and side-matched control group who underwent the same procedures but did not have AC. MRIs were evaluated for edema of posterior capsule, anterior capsule, axillary pouch, coracohumeral ligament (CHL) and rotator interval (RI), thickness of axillary pouch and CHL, thickness of anterior capsule, RI and subcoracoid fat replacement, and teres minor atrophy and edema. Multivariable analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 57 subjects with AC and 57 matched controls were studied: mean age 52 ± 7 (range 31-71) years, 37 female and 20 male, 22 right and 35 left. Posterior capsule edema was more common in the AC group vs. control group (66.7 vs 17.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed posterior capsule edema, CHL edema, and axillary pouch (glenoid) thickness (optimum cutoff = 4 mm) were significant independent predictors of AC. Simplified analysis using these three variables had an area under the curve of 0.860 (95%CI: 0.792-0.928). With all three variables present, the sensitivity and specificity for AC were 32% and 98%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior joint capsule edema may be helpful to confirm AC. Posterior capsule edema, CHL edema, and axillary pouch (glenoid) thickness produce a strong model for distinguishing AC from controls.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Edema involving the posterior shoulder joint capsule is an imaging marker of capsulitis and is useful in differentiating patients with adhesive capsulitis from those without in conjunction with other proven MRI findings.

KEY POINTS

• Posterior capsule edema has a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 82.5% for the detection of adhesive capsulitis. • Posterior capsule edema, coracohumeral ligament (CHL) edema, and axillary pouch (glenoid) thickness were significant independent predictors of adhesive capsulitis, and combining these variables together produces a very strong model for distinguishing cases from controls (AUC = 0.860). • Optimal cutoff values for CHL, axillary pouch (humeral), axillary pouch (glenoid), and axillary pouch (total) thickness were 2.5, 2.6, 4, and 6.3 mm, respectively.

Inertial Sensors and Pressure Pain Threshold to Evaluate People with Primary Adhesive Capsulitis: Comparison with Healthy Controls and Effects of a Physiotherapy Protocol

Inertial sensors (IMUs) have been recently widely used in exercise and rehabilitation science as they can provide reliable quantitative measures of range of motion (RoM). Moreover, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) evaluation provides an objective measure of pain sensation in different body areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment in people with adhesive capsulitis in terms of RoM and pain improvement measured by IMUs and the PPT. A combined prospective cohort/cross-sectional study was conducted. Nineteen individuals with adhesive capsulitis (10/19 females, 54 ± 8 years) and nineteen healthy controls (10/19 females, 51 ± 6 years) were evaluated for active glenohumeral joint RoM and PPT on shoulder body areas. Then, individuals with adhesive capsulitis were invited to 20 sessions of a physiotherapy protocol, and the assessments were repeated within 1 week from the last session. The range of motion in the flexion (p = 0.001) and abduction (p < 0.001) of the shoulder increased significantly after the physiotherapy protocol. Similarly, the PPT was found to increase significantly in all the assessed shoulder body areas, leading to no significant differences compared to the healthy controls. IMU and PPT assessments could be used to evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy in people with adhesive capsulitis.

The N-brace trial: Does arm position during immobilisation of proximal humerus fractures influence outcome - A preliminary study

Background

Traditional initial management of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) involves arm immobilisation in a simple sling (SS) in an internally rotated position. We believe this risks fracture displacement and imbalance of soft tissues, encouraging malunion and stiffness. A neutral-rotation brace (NRB) maintains an arm position which may prevent this, leading to quicker and superior recovery.

Methods

We randomised patients with two- to four-part PHF into 4 weeks of immobilisation with either a SS or NRB, independent of surgery. Range of motion (ROM), subjective shoulder value (SSV), DASH, Constant-Murley (CMS) and Oxford Shoulder (OSS) scores were assessed at 6-weeks, 3-months and 1-year post-injury.

Results

The SS group included 11 patients vs 9 in the NRB group. At final follow-up, the SS and NRB groups had mean DASH scores of 42 vs 35, OSS 42 vs 46, CMS 71 vs 86, SSV 84% vs 92%, respectively. ROM was superior with the NRB (elevation 159°, ER 47° and IR score 8 vs 140°, 37° and 7 with SS).

Conclusions

Despite being a small series, our results demonstrate a trend towards NRB providing better outcomes. This feasibility study supports the need for a larger multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing these immobilisation methods for PHF.

What is the most predictive magnetic resonance imaging finding of rotator cuff tear concomitant with shoulder stiffness?

Background

Common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in adhesive capsulitis are not often evident in rotator cuff tear concomitant with shoulder stiffness. This study aimed to determine the most predictive MRI finding of rotator cuff tear with shoulder stiffness to differentiate from that without stiffness.

Materials and methods

The data of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between January 2014 and October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Stiffness was defined as forward flexion <120°, external rotation at side <30°, and internal rotation at back 

Results

Anterior capsular thickness, glenoid capsular thickness in the axillary recess, and anterior and axillary capsular hyperintensities were significantly more dominant in the stiff group (all P < .05) than in the control group. Anterior capsular thickness and anterior capsular abnormal hyperintensity could be used to differentiate between the stiff and control groups (P < .05). Anterior capsular thickness showed high diagnostic performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.993. The cut-off value for stiffness was 3.07 mm (sensitivity, 96.1%; specificity, 100%).

Conclusion

Anterior capsular thickening and abnormal hyperintensity were the most predictive MRI findings for stiffness in patients with rotator cuff tear and stiffness to differentiate from patients with rotator cuff tear without stiffness.

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Key Words

• Adhesive capsulitis
• Anterior capsular abnormal hyperintensity
• Anterior capsular thickness
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Rotator cuff tear
• Stiff shoulder

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Affiliation(s)

Ji Young Yoon Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
HeeSoo Han Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
Myoung Yeol Shin Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hyeon Jang Jeong Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
Yusuhn Kang Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
Young Dae Jeon Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
Ji Un Kim Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
Joo Han Oh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea

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Transcatheter embolisation in chronic musculoskeletal disorders

Chronic musculoskeletal conditions affect millions of patients worldwide resulting in disability, reduced quality of life, and have a profound economic impact on the individual and society. Current treatment strategies fail patients who have not responded to conservative management but are not surgical candidates. Over the last decade, transcatheter embolisation has emerged as a potential treatment for these difficult to treat patients. By exploiting pathological neovascularisation within conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, and tendinopathy, embolisation has been used to improve patients' pain and function. This review explores the rationale for musculoskeletal transcatheter embolisation, illustrating the technique, and latest evidence for the most common procedures.

Exploration of the clinical course of frozen shoulder: A longitudinal multicenter prospective study of functional impairments

BACKGROUND

Contradictory evidence exists regarding the clinical course of frozen shoulder (FS).

OBJECTIVES

To explore the clinical course of FS regarding disabilities, pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, scapular upward rotation, and proprioception and to establish longitudinal correlations between these variables.

METHODS

Patients with FS were prospectively followed for 9 months at 3-month intervals. Assessment included the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; visual analogue scale for pain; an inclinometer for shoulder external rotation (ER), internal rotation (IR), flexion, and abduction ROM, and scapular upward rotation and proprioception, as well as handheld dynamometry for muscle strength in shoulder abduction, ER, and IR.

RESULTS

Initially, 149 patients (98 females; mean (SD) age 53 (9) years) were included, with 88 completing all follow-up assessments. Most variables showed early improvement in the clinical course of FS, particularly ER and IR at 90° abduction, which continued to improve from 6 to 9 months of follow-up. Associations were observed between disabilities and pain (r = 0.61), disabilities/pain and ROM (r=-0.62 to -0.59 and r=-0.47 to -0.39, respectively), disabilities/pain and muscle strength (r=-0.24 to -0.35 and r=-0.36 to -0.17, respectively), and between disabilities/pain and scapular upward rotation below shoulder level (r = 0.23 to 0.38 and r = 0.24 to 0.30, respectively). ROM correlated with muscle strength (r = 0.14 to 0.44), while both ROM and ER muscle strength correlated with scapular upward rotation below shoulder level (r=-0.37 to -0.23 and r=-0.17 to -0.12, respectively). Muscle strength correlated with scapular upward rotation above shoulder level (r = 0.28 to 0.38) and lift-off muscle strength correlated with joint repositioning (r=-0.17 to -0.15).

CONCLUSION

Almost all factors improved in the early phase (3-6 months) after baseline assessment, while ER and IR ROM at shoulder level continued to improve long term.

Is there any benefit of adding a central nervous system-focused intervention to a manual therapy and home stretching program for people with frozen shoulder? A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a highly disabling pathology of poorly understood etiology, which is characterized by the presence of intense pain and progressive loss of range of motion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding a central nervous system (CNS)-focused approach to a manual therapy and home stretching program in people with FS.

METHODS

A total of 34 patients with a diagnosis of primary FS were randomly allocated to receive a 12-week manual therapy and home stretching program or manual therapy and home stretching program plus a CNS-focused approach including graded motor imagery and sensory discrimination training. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score, self-perceived shoulder pain (visual analog scale score), shoulder range of motion, and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale score were measured at baseline, after a 2-week washout period just before starting treatment, after treatment, and at 3 months' follow-up.

RESULTS

No significant between-group differences in any outcome were found either after treatment or at 3 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A CNS-focused approach provided no additional benefit to a manual therapy and home stretching program in terms of shoulder pain and function in people with FS.

Adhesive capsulitis and ultrasound diagnosis, an inseparable pair: a novel review

PURPOSE

Adhesive Capsulitis (AC) is a musculoskeletal disorder initially described by Codman in 1934. The disease is characterized by pain-limited restriction in active and passive glenohumeral range of motion (ROM) despite the lack of a structural deficit. In the last decades, arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been the only diagnostic tools able to highlight the characteristic alterations of the glenohumeral capsular-ligament apparatus in AC; nevertheless, both arthroscopy and MRI are burdened by intrinsic limitations. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the most significant evidence supporting the use of ultrasound (US) for the diagnosis of AC.

METHODS

We extensively searched via PubMed library the terms "frozen-shoulder" and "adhesive capsulitis" each combined with "ultrasound".

RESULTS

We found 3723 papers on PubMed and selected those inherent to AC diagnosis, US imaging, correlation with arthroscopic and MRI findings. Forty papers which were strictly related to the topic of this narrative review were initially chosen, then 20 studies which described and exploited US for AC diagnosis were finally included. Coracohumeral ligament (2.65 ± 0.4 mm) and axillary pouch thickening (3.34 ± 0.8 mm), as well as an increase in vascularity at rotator interval (78/214, 36.44%), represented the commonest US signs useful for AC diagnosis and for which the most significant cut-off values were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence collected in this review testify that musculoskeletal US is as reliable as MRI for AC diagnosis, therefore we believe that in this context US should be considered a first-line imaging technique.

Anti-TNF (adalimumab) injection for the treatment of adults with frozen shoulder during the pain predominant stage protocol for a multi-centre, randomised, double blind, parallel group, feasibility trial

Objectives

The Anti-Freaze-F trial will assess the feasibility of conducting a large randomised controlled trial to assess whether intra-articular injection of anti-TNF (adalimumab) can reduce pain and improve function in people with pain predominant early stage frozen shoulder.

Methods and analysis

We are conducting a multi-centre, randomised feasibility study, with an embedded qualitative sub-study. We will recruit adults ≥18 years with a new episode of shoulder pain attributable to early stage frozen shoulder, recruited from at least five UK NHS musculoskeletal and related physiotherapy services. Participants (n=84) will be randomised (centralised computer generated 1:1 allocation) to receive either: 1) intra-articular injection of anti-TNF (adalimumab 160mg) or 2) placebo injection (saline [0.9% sodium chloride]), both under ultrasound guidance. A second injection of the allocated treatment (adalimumab 80mg) or equivalent volume of placebo will be administered 2-3 weeks later. All participants will receive a physiotherapy advice leaflet providing education and advice about frozen shoulder and pain management. The primary feasibility objectives are: 1) the ability to screen and identify potential participants with pain predominant early stage frozen shoulder; 2) willingness of eligible participants to consent and be randomised to intervention; 3) practicalities of delivering the intervention, including time to first injection and number of participants receiving second injection; 4) standard deviation of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score and attrition rate at 3 months (i.e. 12 weeks) post-randomisation in order to estimate the sample size for a definitive trial. We will also assess follow up rates and viability of patient-reported outcome measures and range of shoulder motion for a definitive trial. Research Ethics Committee approval (REC 21/NE/0214).

Trial registration number

ISRCTN 27075727; EudraCT number: 2021-003509-23; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05299242.

Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodistension for Adhesive Capsulitis: Is There Any Adjunct Effect of Immediate Post-Procedural Manipulation Over Instructed Physical Therapy?

OBJECTIVES

To compare the additive value of immediate post-procedural manipulation versus physiotherapy, following ultrasound (US)-guided hydrodistention of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and define predictors of outcome.

METHODS

Within a 19-month period, 161 consecutive patients with AC were prospectively enrolled and allocated to two groups according to treatment, based on patients' individual preferences: 1) group-I, US-guided hydrodistension plus immediate post-procedural manipulations and 2) group-II, US-guided hydrodistension plus supervised physiotherapy program. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used for clinical assessment at baseline (immediately after treatment), 1, 3, and 6 months. Comparisons were performed with Mann-Whitney U test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of outcome. P value <.05 defined significance.

RESULTS

GHJ hydrodistension with manipulation or physiotherapy was linked to clinical improvement at all follow-up time-points. DASH scores of group-I remained constantly lower than DASH scores of group-II at all time-points (P < .001). VAS scores were lower in group-I than group-II at 1 and 3 months (P < .001 and P = .0019, respectively). Both groups had improved to a similar degree with respect to pain at 6 months (P = .29). The performance of post-interventional manipulations was predictive of improved shoulder functionality (as assessed with DASH scores) at all time-points, while low-grade disease and milder symptoms at presentation were associated with improved short-term pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate post-procedural manipulations appeared to be superior to physiotherapy following GHJ hydrodistension for AC in terms of shoulder functionality during a 6-month follow-up period. Post-interventional manipulations, the stage of AC and lower DASH and VAS scores at presentations were predictive of improved outcome.

Evaluation of the Differences in the MRI Findings Related to Primary and Secondary Adhesive Capsulitis

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the radiological findings of adhesive capsulitis due to different etiological factors and reveal that different clues due to different etiological causes should be considered in the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis. Methods: The study group comprised 24 primary and 22 supraspinatus tendon rupture-related adhesive capsulitis patients with 24 individuals without adhesive capsulitis and with normal shoulder magnetic resonance imaging. Independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance tests were used to compare the measurements between the groups. Paired sample t-test and Cohen's kappa statistic were used to determine inter-observer reliability. The chi-squared test was used to determine the relationships between groups and categorical variables. Study participants were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative measurements included the thickness of the humeral and glenoid segment of the joint capsule and the thickness of the anterior joint capsule and the fluid depth within the biceps tendon sheath. The qualitative assessments included the detection of any signal abnormality at the rotator interval, the grading of the humeral and glenoid segment of the joint capsule, and the detection of any signal abnormality in respect of the anterior joint capsule. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups of patients with primary adhesive capsulitis and with supraspinatus tear-related adhesive capsulitis in terms of the thickness of the humeral segment of the joint capsule at the axillary recess level (AUC = .729) (P: .006). Furthermore, setting the cutoff value for the thickness of the humeral segment of the capsule to 4.6 mm allowed the differentiation of primary adhesive capsulitis and supraspinatus tear-related adhesive capsulitis with a sensitivity of 70.8% and a specificity of 87.3%. Conclusion: In conclusion, the humeral segment of the joint capsule thickness at the axillary recess was found to be affected by different degrees depending on whether it is a primary or supraspinatus tear-related adhesive capsulitis.

Current concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of adhesive capsulitis: role of diagnostic imaging and ultrasound-guided interventional procedures

Adhesive capsulitis is a common cause of painful shoulder, characterized by pain and restricted range of motion of the glenohumeral joint. With a well-known clinical presentation, and an increasing understanding of its clinical and radiologic features, early diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis is becoming a reality. Although often treated conservatively, for refractory cases arthroscopic release and open capsulotomy have been the only therapeutic option for a long time. Therefore, in the last years, a particular effort was put into the development of novel minimal-invasive techniques capable of pain relief and functional range improvement of the glenohumeral joint. The purpose of this literature review is to report the main updates on diagnosis and treatment for adhesive capsulitis with a focus on imaging diagnosis techniques and novel minimally invasive ultrasound-guided treatments. Results showed that ultrasound-guided procedures come with a high success rate in terms of pain reduction and improved range of motion, thus making the ultrasound a unique tool capable of giving the operator real-time diagnostic information confirming the clinical suspicion, and subsequently performing an interventional procedure.

Comparison of the spread pattern of medial-to-lateral and lateral-to-medial rotator interval injections: A cadaveric study

Objective

Rotator interval (RI) corticosteroid injections are used to alleviate pain associated with adhesive capsulitis, though the pattern of injectate spread remains unclear. The purpose of this anatomical study was to assess the staining patterns of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures of the glenohumeral joint following medial-to-lateral and lateral-to-medial RI injections.

Design

Ten cadaveric specimens were injected with a methylene blue dye injectate: five using a medial-to-lateral RI injection technique and five using a lateral-to-medial RI injection technique. Serial dissection was performed to assess the staining of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures. The frequency of capture and degree of staining were compared between injection groups.

Results

The lateral-to-medial injection resulted in the capture of all intra-articular; intracapsular/extrasynovial; and pericapsular structures, whereas the medial-to-lateral injection did not consistently stain all structures. Intracapsular/extrasynovial structures (superior glenohumeral ligament and the long head of biceps tendon) were more darkly stained in the lateral-to-medial group, and pericapsular structures (supraspinatus tendon and coracohumeral ligament) were more darkly stained in the medial-to-lateral group.

Conclusion

The frequency of capture and degree of staining of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures of the glenohumeral joint differed between medial-to-lateral and lateral-to-medial RI injection techniques, which may influence outcomes in pain management for adhesive capsulitis.

Understanding the clinical profile of patients with frozen shoulder: a longitudinal multicentre observational study

INTRODUCTION

There is a large diversity in the clinical presentation of frozen shoulder (FS) and the clinical outcome is not always satisfactory. The aim of the current study was to examine to what extent range of motion (ROM) limitation, metabolic factors (diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders), autonomic symptoms and pain sensitivity may contribute to the prognosis in terms of shoulder pain and disability and quality of life in patients with FS.

METHODS

Patients with stage 1 or 2 FS were longitudinally followed-up during 9 months after baseline assessment. They completed six questionnaires and underwent quantitative sensory testing (pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation) and ROM assessment.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-nine patients with FS were initially recruited and 121 completed at least one follow-up measurement. Shoulder pain and disability improved over time and diabetes mellitus was found to be a prognostic factor for final outcome. Several domains of quality of life also improved over time and external rotation ROM, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder and autonomic symptoms were found to be prognostic factors for final outcome. These prognostic factors explained 2.5%-6.3% of the final outcome of shoulder pain and disability and quality of life.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In patients with FS, prognostic variables were able to predict different outcomes, indicating that outcomes in this population can be variable-dependent. Other variables not explored in this study might contribute to the prognosis of patients with FS, which should be investigated in future research. In clinical practice, baseline assessment of prognostic factors and focusing on a more holistic approach might be useful to inform healthcare practitioners about progression of patients with FS during a 9-month period.

Decreased Expression of Leptin among Patients with Shoulder Stiffness

Shoulder stiffness (SS) is a disease that is fibroblastic and inflammatory in nature. Leptin is an adipokine-mediating the fibroblastic and inflammatory processes of various diseases. Our study tried to investigate the role of leptin in SS pathogenesis. Subacromial bursa from stiff and non-stiff shoulders were obtained for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and immunoblotting. Subacromial fluid was obtained for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We showed that the expression level of leptin was lower in the subacromial bursae from the stiff shoulders in RT-PCR analysis (p < 0.001) and immunoblotting (p < 0.001). The concentration of leptin was also lower in the subacromial fluid derived from stiff shoulders. The leptin level in the subacromial fluid was positively associated with the constant score, total range of motion, flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The synovial fibroblasts derived from stiff shoulder-retrieved subacromial bursa were treated by 0, 1, and 3 μM leptin. Under RT-qPCR analysis, leptin was shown to dose-dependently decrease the transcription of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, but without impact on IL-1β and IL-4 (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.137, and p = 0.883 by ANOVA test, respectively). These results shed light on the role of leptin in orchestrating the disease processes of SS.

Efficacy of high-intensity home mechanical stretch therapy for treatment of shoulder stiffness: a retrospective review

Background

Shoulder stiffness resulting in motion loss can be caused by numerous conditions, the most common of which is adhesive capsulitis. Surgical intervention is often necessary when conservative methods fail. High-intensity stretch (HIS) treatment may be able to provide increased motion gains while avoiding the cost and complications of surgery.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to review data from patients who were prescribed a HIS device to recover their shoulder motion to determine the efficacy of the device. The hypotheses were that patients would achieve significant range of motion (ROM) gains and that ROM would increase to a level at which patients would be able to avoid a motion loss surgery and perform activities of daily living.

Methods

Clinical notes were reviewed for patients whose progress plateaued after 4 weeks of therapy and were subsequently prescribed the HIS device after failing to meet their treatment goals. ROM data were recorded for external rotation, abduction, forward flexion, and internal rotation. Pre- and post-treatment ROM data were compared using t-tests.

Results

Significant ROM gains were seen in all planes of motion (p < 0.001). Patients gained an average of 29.9° in external rotation with a last recorded rotation of 59.2°. In abduction, patients gained 40.5° with a last recorded abduction of 123.3°. In forward flexion, patients gained 30.3° with a last recorded flexion of 138.7°. In internal rotation, patients gained 15.2° with a last recorded rotation of 57.6°. These last recorded ranges of motion were sufficient to perform nearly all activities of daily living.

Conclusions

The HIS device was effective in treating patients with shoulder motion loss as demonstrated by the significant ROM gains in all planes of motion. The ability for a patient to recover lost motion quickly without surgery is of great value to quality of life and in healthcare cost savings. We believe this high-intensity stretch device should be considered for use by patients who are at risk for a motion loss surgery.

The Effect of Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Secondary Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is often used for frozen shoulder treatment, but controversy still exists regarding MUA compared with conservative treatment. This research was conducted to compare the outcome between MUA and celecoxib (CLX) in secondary frozen shoulder.

METHODS

Patients with secondary frozen shoulder were randomized into two groups, an MUA plus exercise (EX) group and a CLX plus EX group. Clinical outcomes were documented at baseline and at 1 day, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after intervention, including Constant-Murley Score (CMS) for function, Pain Rating Index (PRI) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) for pain, passive range of motion (ROM) measurements including external rotation, internal rotation, forward flexion, and abduction. Primary outcome was CMS. Secondary outcomes were PRI, PPI, and passive ROM.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients out of 68 in the MUA group and 66 out of 68 in the CLX group finished the entire study period. There were no significant differences in basic properties of the two groups before intervention. As the primary outcome, CMS changes in the MUA group improved faster than the CLX group. Secondary outcomes, passive ROM, and pain PPI were faster and significant in the MUA group from 1 day after intervention compared with CLX (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, a statistically significant difference was not observed in the PPI (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was not observed in the PRI between groups in 1 day (P > 0.05). For the primary outcome, from 0 to 12 weeks the mean changes in CMS were 44.00 for MUA plus EX (95% CI 43.07-44.93, P < 0.001) and 27.09 for CLX plus EX (26.20-27.98, P < 0.001). The significant difference in improvement appeared from 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

To treat secondary frozen shoulder with MUA, this treatment could achieve better therapeutic effects on improvement of function, pain, and passive ROM than CLX did.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn , identifier ChiCTR2200060269.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a common debilitating disorder characterized by shoulder pain and progressive loss of shoulder movement. Frozen shoulder is frequently associated with other systemic conditions or occurs following periods of immobilization, and has a protracted clinical course, which can be frustrating for patients as well as health-care professionals. Frozen shoulder is characterized by fibroproliferative tissue fibrosis, whereby fibroblasts, producing predominantly type I and type III collagen, transform into myofibroblasts (a smooth muscle phenotype), which is accompanied by inflammation, neoangiogenesis and neoinnervation, resulting in shoulder capsular fibrotic contractures and the associated clinical stiffness. Diagnosis is heavily based on physical examination and can be difficult depending on the stage of disease or if concomitant shoulder pathology is present. Management consists of physiotherapy, therapeutic modalities such as steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, hydrodilation and surgical interventions; however, their effectiveness remains unclear. Facilitating translational science should aid in development of novel therapies to improve outcomes among individuals with this debilitating condition.

Management of Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis via Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodilatation without Concomitant Intra-Articular Lidocaine Infusion: A Single-Center Experience

Considering the potential chondrotoxic effects of lidocaine, this retrospective study aimed to examine whether ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation without concurrent lidocaine infusion can still provide comparable treatment benefits for patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). Outpatient data from 104 eligible AC patients who received ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation between May 2016 and April 2021 were reviewed. A total of 59 patients received hydrodilatation with diluted corticosteroid only, while 45 patients received treatment with mixed, diluted corticosteroid and 1% lidocaine. The overall treatment outcome was documented as the percentage of clinical improvement, ranging from 0% to 100% compared to baseline, and it was ranked into poor, moderate and good treatment outcomes. The results show no significant group-wise difference in demographics, overall treatment outcome, and number of hydrodilatations, while most patients showed moderate and good treatment outcomes. Patients with lidocaine infusion did not show greater treatment benefit. Our results suggest that ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation without concurrent lidocaine infusion can still deliver good treatment benefits for AC patients, and the findings are supportive of a modified approach toward careful intra-articular local anesthetic use during management of AC in the primary care setting.

Post-surgical physiotherapy in frozen shoulder: A review

Despite its prevalence, the optimal management of frozen shoulder is unclear. A range of conservative measures are often undertaken with varying degrees of success. In cases of severe and persistent symptoms, release procedures which could include any combination of manipulation under anaesthetic, arthroscopic capsular release or hydrodilatation are frequently offered, none of which has been shown to offer superior outcome over the others. When surgical release is performed a period of rehabilitation is normally recommended but no best practice guidelines exist resulting in considerable variations in practice which may or may not directly affect patient outcome. During this narrative review, we hypothesise that these differing responses to treatment (both conservative and surgical options) are potentially the result of different causal mechanisms for frozen shoulder and may also suggest that post-release rehabilitation may need to take this into account.