PAPERS ON SHOULDER 

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2006 August;57(4):399-404

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Release arthroscopy for post-traumatic frozen shoulder: a review of 19 cases

Castelli P. G., Schneider L., Sartori G., Camisassa R., Grandi G.

Unità Operativa di Ortopedia Clinica La Vialarda, Biella

Aim. Frozen shoulder is a feared complication of glenohumeral fractures. In this study, the results with release arthroscopy for post-traumatic frozen shoulder are evaluated.
Methods. Between March 2003 and September 2005, 19 patients (11 men, 8 women) with post-traumatic frozen shoulder underwent arthoscopic arthrolysis of the glenohumeral joint; 8 cases were sequelae to trochlear fracture, 4 were three-part humeral head fractures, 4 were Bony Bankart, 1 was a posterior dislocation and 2 were glenoid fractures. Arthroscopic release was performed after a failed course of rehabilitation physiotherapy of at least 6 months duration.
Results. The results were compared between baseline values and at 3 and 6 months postoperative using the Constant Score and SST. At the end of the study, 9 patients stated they were very satisfied, 3 said they were satisfied, 5 experienced slight improvement and 2 no substantial change. An objective improvement in passive and active joint motion was observed in all patients.
Conclusions. Based on these results, release arthroscopy appears to be a minimally invasive rapid procedure that yields good results and so represents a less traumatic alternative to mobilization under anesthesia.