Comparison between the outcomes of manipulation under anaesthesia versus intra-articular steroid injection in idiopathic adhesive capsulitis

TL;DR

This study compares two treatments for frozen shoulder and finds that manipulation under anesthesia provides faster recovery than steroid injections.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence that manipulation under anesthesia is more effective for rapid recovery in frozen shoulder.

Findings

Manipulation under anesthesia resolved symptoms in 11.30 weeks compared to 10.90 weeks with steroid injections.

The difference in recovery time was statistically significant (p=0.0073).

MUA provided quicker improvement in shoulder mobility and earlier pain relief.

Abstract

One of the most common causes of shoulder pain and restricted motion is frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, characterized by a
thickened, contracted joint capsule with chronic inflammatory changes. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the outcomes of manipulation
under anaesthesia (MUA) and intra-articular steroid injection in idiopathic adhesive capsulitis. A total of 60 patients were prospectively
observed and treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, from April 2021 to September 2022.
The mean time for resolution of symptoms was 11.30±0.41 weeks in the MUA group and 10.90±0.67 weeks in the steroid group, with
a statistically significant difference (p=0.0073). Thus, MUA was found to be particularly effective for rapid functional restoration,
providing quicker improvement in shoulder mobility and early pain relief.