Clinical Impairments and Rotator Cuff Tendon Pathology in Primary and Intrinsic Secondary Adhesive Capsulitis

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the differences in clinical impairments between patients with primary and intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis and confirm rotator cuff tendon pathology in intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis.

Design: This study included 130 patients with unilateral adhesive capsulitis in freezing or frozen stages. Clinical impairment was evaluated using visual analog scale score, shoulder passive range of motion, Cyriax stage, and Constant-Murley score. Plain radiography, ultrasonography, single-contrast arthrography, and intravenous gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were performed in all patients.

Results: Among 130 patients, 77 patients were diagnosed as primary adhesive capsulitis and 53 patients as intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis. Among intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis patients, 44 rotator cuff tendon tears, 6 calcific tendinitis, and 3 rotator cuff tendon tears with calcific tendinitis were observed. No significant intergroup difference was observed in all clinical parameters, including shoulder passive range of motion, visual analog scale, Cyriax stage, and Constant-Murley score. The prevalence of subacromial subdeltoid bursitis was significantly higher in intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis compared with primary adhesive capsulitis.

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in all clinical parameters investigated between patients with primary and intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis caused by rotator cuff tendon pathology.