A literature review of the treatment options for Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder Volume 4 - Issue 5

Rómulo Silva¹*, Alice Pimentel² and Manuel Gutierres³

• ¹Department of Orthopedics, Alto Minho Local Health Unit, Viana do Castelo Maria Alice Gomes Conde Pimentel, Portugal
• ²Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal
• ³Department of Orthopedics, Professor at Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Portugal

Received:December 22, 2020;   Published:January 07, 2021

Corresponding author:Rómulo Silva, Department of Orthopedics, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Estrada de Santa Luzia, 50 - Viana do Castelo, Portugal

DOI: 10.32474/OSMOAJ.2021.04.000199

 

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Abstract

Goal: Systematic review of current therapeutic options for Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis of the shoulder (IAC).

Materials and Methods: Research carried out in the MEDLINE / Pubmed database using MeshTerms: “adhesive capsulitis”, “frozen shoulder”, “treatment”. The articles in Portuguese or English published were selected, after which non-relevant articles were excluded based on the title, reading of the abstract and full article.

Results: Physical therapy has proven to be beneficial, either isolated or concomitantly with other therapeutic approaches. Options like capsular distention, manipulation under anesthesia and arthroscopic surgery have reported good results, especially in refractory cases. No significant benefits were found with the use of oral corticosteroids, NSAIDs or acupuncture. New treatment options are currently being tested with promising results.

Conclusions: There are several effective options for the treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis. In the early stages, conservative measures should be chosen, with special emphasis on physical therapy within the limits of pain associated with low-dose intraarticular injection of corticosteroids. In refractory cases, more invasive treatment options should be suggested namely capsular distension and manipulation under anesthesia.

Keywords: Adhesive Capsulitis; Frozen Shoulder; Diagnosis; Treatment

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