Idiopathic frozen shoulder treated by arthroscopic brisement.

Arthroscopic brisement serves as an useful procedure in the treatment of idiopathic frozen shoulder. This series included 186 shoulders with a diagnosis of idiopathic frozen shoulder who had symptoms for an average of 8 months and failed conservative treatment of at least 12 weeks. Using the arthroscopic brisement (distension, debride, release and manipulation) to treat the idiopathic frozen shoulder, it is beneficial not only to detect the inside lesion but also a solution to the problem of stiffness. The average follow-up time was 23 months from 6 months to 5 years. One hundred and seventy (92%) of 186 shoulders had yielded overall satisfactory results in this series. There was no relationship between the end result and the initial pathologic condition. We believe that arthroscopic brisement is an effective way of shortening the course of frozen shoulder and should be considered when conservative treatment has failed.