Effect of manipulation technique using ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block on range of motion at the shoulder joint in frozen shoulder: a retrospective study

Kieun Park; Masashi Matsuzaki; Mitsuji Okamoto; Akihiro Sakaki; Futoshi Ikuta

doi:10.1186/s40634-022-00500-z

Effect of manipulation technique using ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block on range of motion at the shoulder joint in frozen shoulder: a retrospective study

J Exp Orthop. 2022 Jul 6;9(1):63. doi: 10.1186/s40634-022-00500-z.

Authors

Kieun Park¹, Masashi Matsuzaki², Mitsuji Okamoto¹, Akihiro Sakaki³, Futoshi Ikuta⁴

Affiliations

¹ PAKU Painclinic, Gitex Ascent Building 5F, 6-1-20 Miyuki-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-0087, Japan.
² Sonic Japan Holdings Co., Ltd, 26-11 Maruyama-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0021, Japan.
³ Riseisha College of Medicine and Sports, 3-4-21 Jusohonmachi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka, 532-0024, Japan.
⁴ School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, 1-13-1 Matobakita, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-1197, Japan. fikuta@tiu.ac.jp.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) at the shoulder joint before and after silent manipulation.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent silent manipulation at our institution between January 2013 and December 2017. In total, 1,665 shoulders in 1,610 patients (519 men, 1,146 women; mean age 55.4 ± 8.8 years) were treated during the study period. The mean symptom duration was 6.6 ± 7.1 months. ROM at the shoulder joint was measured in flexion, abduction, and external rotation before silent manipulation and at 1 week and 1, 2, and 3 months after the procedure.

Results: Mean ROM at the shoulder was 98.8° (95% confidence interval [CI] 97.9-99.8) before silent manipulation and 155.5° (154.1-156.8) after 3 months in flexion (p = 0.0000), 75.6° (74.5-76.8) and 152.9° (151.0-154.9), respectively, in abduction (p = 0.0000), and 12.7° (12.0-13.4) and 45.9° (44.4-47.4) in external rotation (p = 0.0000). All ROM values were significantly increased at all time points after the procedure. There were no unanticipated adverse events or serious adverse reactions.

Conclusions: This study reports on the efficacy and safety of manipulation using conduction anesthesia for shoulder contractures in a large group of patients. Silent manipulation can increase ROM at the shoulder safely and effectively.

Keywords: Adhesion; Frozen shoulder; Silent manipulation; Ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block.