Combination treatment for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Twenty-two patients (23 shoulders) with arthrographically verified adhesive capsulitis of the glenohumeral joint were treated by a combination of distention-arthrography, local anesthetics and steroids intraarticularly, and manipulation. The mean duration of the disease at the time of treatment was 14 months, and all patients suffered from disabling pain and stiffness. A rapid improvement was seen after treatment and at four to six weeks: 91% (21/23) of the patients had no or slight pain and 83% (19/23) of the patients had normal, or almost normal, range of motion. The treatment was well tolerated and no complications were recorded. The combination treatment for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder is safe, yields immediate results, and is cost effective.