Manipulation under anesthesia for frozen shoulder with and without steroid injection

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of manipulating a shoulder with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) under anesthesia with and without corticosteroid injection. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four patients referred for manipulation of a frozen shoulder. INTERVENTION: The patients were randomized into 2 groups. One group received an injection of corticosteroid and manipulation; the other was only administered manipulation during anesthesia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of shoulder mobility and pain before and after the manipulation. RESULTS: Manipulation under anesthesia increased the mobility of the affected shoulder. Injection with lidocaine and betamethason did not enhance the effect of the manipulation. CONCLUSION: Manipulation under anesthesia without intraarticular corticosteroids is recommended as the therapy for frozen shoulder.