Objective: In adhesive capsulitis, assessment of the mobility of the shoulder are likely to have intrinsic error because of the altering scapulohumeral rhythm and extrinsic error. For more objective and the precise assessment of shoulder mobility in adhesive capsulitis, we observed proper glenohumeral movement, the change of scapulohumeral angle, the scapulohumeral rhythm were evaluated with radiography and compared with clinical measurement of shoulder range of motion (ROM).
Method: The subjects were 19 patients (21 shoulder) with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder and undertook combination treatment of distention arthrography, per os medication of non-steroid anti- inflammatory drug, stellate ganglion block, physical therapy including exercise. We assessed change in visual analogue scale (VAS), joint space capacity, shoulder mobility by measurement of ROM, and scapulohumeral angle in active shoulder abduction under the fluroscopy.
Results: All the subjects experienced pain relief, increased shoulder mobility and restoration of scapulohumeral rhythm. The improvement of the shoulder extension and scapulohumeral angle is well correlated with the change of VAS and joint capacity. However, the improvement of the shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation were poor correlated with them.
Conclusion: We propose the measurement of scapulohumeral angle with active shoulder abduction in shoulder AP view as an assessment method for shoulder mobility in adhesive capsulitis.
