Review Question - QID 42

Diabetic patients are at greater risk of adhesive capsulitis than the general population. The condition is often bilateral and more resistant to treatment. While adhesive capsulits is more common in women, there is no known association with menopause. Steroids are often used to treat this condition.

Griggs et al. prospectively followed patients with adhesive capsulitis and found that "the vast majority of patients... can be successfully treated with a specific four-direction shoulder-stretching exercise program". Patients with more severe pain and functional limitations before treatment had relatively worse outcomes, but more aggressive treatment such as manipulation or capsular release was rarely necessary.

Wolf and Green found that comorbid factors (such as diabetes) have a significant effect on the pain and dysfunction as measured on shoulder-specific and general health instruments.

Warner reviewed "frozen shoulders" and noted a difference between idiopathic adhesive capsulitis which usually responds to nonoperative therapy or closed manipulation, whereas shoulder stiffness due to trauma or surgery may necessitate either an arthroscopic or an open-release procedure.