L Hollmann1, M Halaki2, S J Kamper3, M Haber4, K A Ginn5. 1. University of Canberra, Faculty of Health, Australia. 2. The University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Discipline of Exercise & Sport Science, Australia. 3. The University of Sydney, School of Public Health, Australia; Centre for Pain, Health and Lifestyle, Australia. 4. University of Wollongong, Faculty of Medicine, Australia. 5. The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Discipline of Anatomy & Histology, Australia. Electronic address: karen.ginn@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Observational: cross-sectional study. BACKGROUND: Idiopathic frozen shoulder is a common cause of severe and prolonged disability characterised by spontaneous onset of pain with progressive shoulder movement restriction. Although spontaneous recovery can be expected the average length of symptoms is 30 months. Chronic inflammation and various patterns of fibrosis and contracture of capsuloligamentous structures around the glenohumeral joint are considered to be responsible for the signs and symptoms associated with frozen shoulder, however, the pathoanatomy of this debilitating condition is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of a muscle guarding component to movement restriction in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. METHODS: Passive shoulder abduction and external rotation range of motion (ROM) were measured in patients scheduled for capsular release surgery for frozen shoulder before and after the administration of general anaesthesia. RESULTS: Five patients with painful, global restriction of passive shoulder movement volunteered for this study. Passive abduction ROM increased following anaesthesia in all participants, with increases ranging from approximately 55°-110° of pre-anaesthetic ROM. Three of these participants also demonstrated substantial increases in passive external rotation ROM following anaesthesia ranging from approximately 15°-40° of pre-anaesthetic ROM. CONCLUSION: This case series of five patients with frozen shoulder demonstrates that active muscle guarding, and not capsular contracture, may be a major contributing factor to movement restriction in some patients who exhibit the classical clinical features of idiopathic frozen shoulder. These findings highlight the need to reconsider our understanding of the pathoanatomy of frozen shoulder. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.
STUDY DESIGN: Observational: cross-sectional study. BACKGROUND: Idiopathic frozen shoulder is a common cause of severe and prolonged disability characterised by spontaneous onset of pain with progressive shoulder movement restriction. Although spontaneous recovery can be expected the average length of symptoms is 30 months. Chronic inflammation and various patterns of fibrosis and contracture of capsuloligamentous structures around the glenohumeral joint are considered to be responsible for the signs and symptoms associated with frozen shoulder, however, the pathoanatomy of this debilitating condition is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of a muscle guarding component to movement restriction in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. METHODS: Passive shoulder abduction and external rotation range of motion (ROM) were measured in patients scheduled for capsular release surgery for frozen shoulder before and after the administration of general anaesthesia. RESULTS: Five patients with painful, global restriction of passive shoulder movement volunteered for this study. Passive abduction ROM increased following anaesthesia in all participants, with increases ranging from approximately 55°-110° of pre-anaesthetic ROM. Three of these participants also demonstrated substantial increases in passive external rotation ROM following anaesthesia ranging from approximately 15°-40° of pre-anaesthetic ROM. CONCLUSION: This case series of five patients with frozen shoulder demonstrates that active muscle guarding, and not capsular contracture, may be a major contributing factor to movement restriction in some patients who exhibit the classical clinical features of idiopathic frozen shoulder. These findings highlight the need to reconsider our understanding of the pathoanatomy of frozen shoulder. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.
Authors: Neal L Millar; Adam Meakins; Filip Struyf; Elaine Willmore; Abigail L Campbell; Paul D Kirwan; Moeed Akbar; Laura Moore; Jonathan C Ronquillo; George A C Murrell; Scott A Rodeo Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2022-09-08 Impact factor: 65.038
Authors: Marta Aguilar-Rodríguez; Lirios Dueñas; Mercè Balasch I Bernat; Mira Meeus; Filip Struyf; Enrique Lluch Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-24 Impact factor: 3.390