How to treat a frozen shoulder? A survey among shoulder specialists in the Netherlands and Belgium

Acta Orthop Belg. 2016 Mar;82(1):78-84.

Abstract

A frozen shoulder is a common cause of a painful and stiff shoulder. A web-based survey was conducted to obtain insight in the current preferences about the diagnosis and treatment of a frozen shoulder. A response rate of 54% was reached among shoulder specialized orthopaedic surgeons from the Netherlands and Belgium. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular corticosteroid injections are used frequently in the first phase of the condition. Physiotherapy is assumed to be more important in the final phase. The results of the survey indicate a wide variety of treatment strategies in the different phases of a frozen shoulder. Three out of four respondents considered that the management of a frozen shoulder could benefit from a written guideline. The development of a written guideline should lead to an improved level of consensus and a more standardized approach in the treatment of a frozen shoulder among shoulder specialists in the Netherlands and Belgium.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Belgium
  • Bursitis / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Joint Capsule Release*
  • Netherlands
  • Orthopedics / methods*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Shoulder Joint*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal