A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS OF THE SHOULDER (FROZEN SHOULDER) IN A HIGH-RISK POPULATION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (198) , 191-204
Abstract
To evaluate risk factors for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (frozen shoulder) a prospective study was carried out in neurosurgical patients, in whom there is a high incidence of capsulitis. Ninety-nine patients were admitted into the study, most of whom had surgical treatment for sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. Of these, 91 patients (92%) were followed up at 6 mo.; 23 (25.3%) had developed adhesive capsulitis, which was bilateral in 3. Three patients developed the shoulder-hand syndrome. By comparing the patients with capsulitis at 6 mo. with those in whom no capsulitis was found, 28 possible risk factors were evaluated. The subsequent development of adhesive capsulitis in the patients was associated with: impairment of consciousness, hemiparesis, duration of post-operative i.v. infusion, age and depressive personality. These 5 associations were statistically significant. Associations with phenobarbitone therapy and hysterical personality were suggested, but these did not reach statistical significance. Routine treatment with corticosteroids post-operatively did not prevent capsulitis.