Periarthritis scapulohumeralis
Enomoto, M.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 72(10): 1745-1749
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 25509796 Document Number: 674778
Periarthritis scapulohumeralis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a common disease in which the patient has a painful and restricted range of active and passive shoulder motion involving capsular contraction with no identifiable cause. Pathogenesis is thought to be a progression of inflammation and fibrosis of the capsule. Appropriate physical examination and radiologic studies can help in differentiating this condition from rotator cuff tear and other diseases. The natural progression of a frozen shoulder includes three phases (freezing, frozen and thawing) over a duration of 1 to 3.5 years and resolves spontaneously. Conservative treatment includes physical therapy and medication for pain relief but arthroscopic capsular release is sometimes performed in refractory cases.