Manipulation or intra-articular steroids in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder? A prospective randomized trial.

Background: The management of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is controversial. The authors present a prospective randomized study comparing the outcome, at a two-year follow-up period, of two groups of patients treated either by manipulation of the shoulder under anaesthetic or by intra-articular shoulder injections using steroid with distension.

Methods: Fifty-three patients suffering from Idiopathic "Primary" Frozen Shoulder were prospectively randomized into two treatment groups and followed up for two years from the start of treatment.