Intra articular steroid injection versus shoulder arthroscopy in the patients with adhesive capsulitis

Abstract

Introduction: Shoulder stiffness has been variously described as frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis and scapulohumeral periarthritis. It is commonly found disorder especially in patients with diabetes mellitus. Our aim is to compare the symptomatic and functional outcome of intra articular steroid injection as an out-patient procedure with shoulder arthroscopy for adhesive capsulitis of shoulder. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted by a single surgeon at a tertiary care hospital between October 2017 and May 2019. Total of twenty patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis were taken into the study. These patients were divided equally into two groups namely Intra articular injection group (IA) and Shoulder arthroscopy group (SA). The patients were followed by after two, six, twelve and sixteen weeks. They were assessed according to visual analogue scale (VAS) and Quick DASH (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hip). The results were analysed using SPSS software (Illinois, Chicago). P value ≤ 0.01 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The VAS, and Quick DASH were found to be better and statistically significant in SA group as compared to IA group.Discussion: Arthroscopic capsular release when combined with biceps tenotomy, sub acromial decompression, manipulation under anaesthesia and peri articular steroid injection improves the functional outcomes of patients as compared with intra articular injection alone.Conclusion: Shoulder arthroscopy along with steroid injection provides better functional and clinical outcomes as compared with intra articular steroid injection alone.