Latest research on Frozen Shoulder: Effectiveness of conservative & surgical interventions

Article Review

Aim
To review current evidence on the effectiveness of conservative and surgical interventions for treating frozen shoulder.

Methods
Databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Cinahl and Pedro were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of the studies were assessed by two independent reviewers and summarised.

Results
5 Cochrane reviews and 18 RCTs were included. The interventions used in these studies included oral medication, injection therapy, physiotherapy (mobilisation, exercise, laser, massage, SWD), acupuncture, arthrographic distension and suprascapular nerve block.

Conclusions
Here is a summary of the authors' findings:

• Strong evidence for corticosteroid injections and laser therapy in short-term
• Moderate evidence for:
• Steroid injections in mid-term follow-up
• Mobilisation techniques in short and long-term
• Arthrographic distension +/- active physiotherapy in short-term
• Oral steroids in short-term
• Inconclusive evidence for:
• NSAIDs
• Acupuncture
• MUA
• Arthroscopic release

Reference
Favejee MM, Huisstede BMA and Koes BW (2010) Frozen shoulder: the effectiveness of conservative and surgical interventions - systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine (online), July 2010.

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