Shoulder activity level in patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis is a common condition resulting in painful multidirectional restriction of motion. Adhesive capsulitis may inhibit shoulder activity level, but this relationship has not been previously studied. This study tested the hypothesis that patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis have lower shoulder activity than sex- and age-matched controls. METHODS: Seventy-two eligible patients (37 men and 35 women) with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis completed a validated shoulder activity scale that was compared with sex- and age-matched norms from a healthy population with no history of shoulder disorders. The association of shoulder activity level with patient age, sex, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores was evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 58% of patients actually had higher shoulder activity scores than sex- and age-matched controls. Among patients aged 51 to 70 years, 68% of patients (73% of men and 63% of women) demonstrated higher Shoulder Activity Scale scores compared with controls. The activity level was higher among all patients aged 51 to 70 years compared with controls (10.3 ± 1.48 vs. 8 ± 0.52, P = .0067). The difference was significant for men in this age group (12.2 ± 1.7 vs. 9 ± 0.75, P = .0042). There was a statistically significant positive correlation of the Shoulder Activity Scale score with the SST score (r = 0.31, P = .009). CONCLUSION: Patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis do not have a lower shoulder activity level than sex- and age-matched controls, and older men may actually have a higher level of shoulder activity than controls. Shoulder activity level is correlated with the SST score in patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis.

Outcomes of Arthroscopic Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repair: Association With Body Mass Index.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of outcomes from posterior medial meniscus root repairs with patient age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic posterior medial meniscus root repair completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and reported subsequent surgeries. The association of patient factors with subsequent surgery and clinical osteoarthritis (OA) based on the KOOS score was evaluated. RESULTS: Minimum 2-year follow-up was available on 22/25 patients (88%). Two patients (9.1%) had subsequent surgeries, and 10 (45.5%) met the KOOS criteria for OA. A BMI over 35 kg/m was associated with repeat surgery (25% versus 0%; P = 0.049) and clinical OA (75% versus 28.6%; P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Although arthroscopic repair of posterior medial root tears has good clinical outcomes and a low rate of subsequent surgery, an elevated BMI level is associated with worse clinical outcomes and a higher rate of subsequent surgery.

Outcomes From Conservative Treatment of Shoulder Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis and Factors Associated With Developing Contralateral Disease.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis is a common condition resulting in painful multidirectional restriction of motion without other identifiable shoulder abnormality. First-line therapies for this condition are nonoperative, but limited data are available regarding which treatments are most effective. Factors associated with contralateral disease are not well established. HYPOTHESIS: Younger patients will have a better response to treatments, and older patients and patients with diabetes will be more likely to develop contralateral disease. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis were treated with a single intra-articular glenohumeral injection of local anesthetic and corticosteroid as well as 4 weeks of supervised physical therapy (PT). Patients were re-evaluated monthly and received additional conservative treatment based on failure to restore normal motion. Patient-reported outcome scores and range of motion were used to assess treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Minimum 2-year follow-up data (mean, 3.4 years) were available for 60 of 75 eligible patients (80%). Patients who did not attend supervised PT as prescribed were more likely to undergo repeat injection due to a lack of adequate range of motion at follow-up (P = .003). Conservative therapy failed in 2 patients (3.3%), and they underwent arthroscopic release and manipulation under anesthesia. Twenty-two patients (36.7%) were subsequently diagnosed with contralateral idiopathic adhesive capsulitis, with a higher incidence in patients with diabetes (P = .009) and patients younger than 50 years (P = .005). American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 41.2 (95% CI, 33.0-49.4) at baseline to 92.0 (95% CI, 88.4-95.6) at final follow-up (P < .0001). Patients with diabetes had a decrease in Shoulder Activity Scale score at final follow-up (P = .049). CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis resulted in good clinical outcomes with a low incidence of surgical intervention. Physical therapy reduced the use of a second injection as part of treatment in this treatment algorithm. Young patients and patients with diabetes may be more likely to develop contralateral disease.