Surgical and non-surgical treatment of frozen shoulder. Survey on surgeons treatment preferences

Background: frozen shoulder is a common condition and its management can be surgical or nonsurgical. The aim was to determine current trends in the management of frozen shoulder amongst surgical members of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS). Methods: a single electronic questionnaire was emailed to surgical members of the BESS. Participants were asked about their surgical and nonsurgical treatments of choice and the reasoning behind that, as well as which components of arthroscopic arthrolysis they favoured. Results: 87 BESS members completed the questioner. The majority of respondents used physiotherapy as their preferred means of non-surgical management while arthroscopic arthrolysis was the most frequently used surgical intervention. A substantial proportion of surgeons based their choice on personal experience and training rather than published evidence. Conclusions: management of frozen shoulder amongst surgeons varies substantially and is highly based on personal experience and training rather than strong evidence. Arthroscopic arthrolysis is a heterogeneous procedure with a wide variation in the use of its various components. Our results highlight the need for high quality clinical trials to compare the management options available

Rates of surgery for frozen shoulder: an experience in England

Aim: the aim of this study was to identify the incidence of surgical treatment for frozen shoulder in a western population. Methods: patients included in this study all resided within a well-defined area in the North West of England, all had surgery for frozen shoulder over a 3-year period and were identified from theatre logbooks of two local hospitals. Cases having surgery for shoulder stiffness other than frozen shoulder were excluded. Local and national population size estimates were based on data obtained from the UK Office for National Statistics. Results: 117 patients underwent surgery for frozen shoulder during the period examined; of these 101 had arthroscopic arthrolysis and 16 had manipulation under anaesthesia. The overall incidence of frozen shoulder surgery was calculated at 2.67 procedures per 10,000 general population per year, and at 7.55 for those aged 40-60. Conclusion: surgical intervention for frozen shoulder cost is common, estimated at over 14,180 cases per year in England. Given the variation in costs associated with arthroscopic arthrolysis and manipulation under anaesthesia, comparative studies of theeffectiveness of the two procedures would be of great value. Level of evidence: 2C (outcome research)