OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the clinical efficacy (pain, function, quality of life) and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of frozen shoulder through meta-analysis, and provide evidence-based medical evidence for the effectiveness of PRP in the treatment of frozen shoulder.
METHODS: A search was conducted on international databases (Pubmed, Web of science, Embase) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP) to search the clinical studies on the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in treating frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis/periarthritis/50 shoulder) and their corresponding references published from inception until January 2024. Thoroughly excluded literature not meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria, extracted relevant data from the literature, and input it into RevMan5.4 for meta-analysis.
RESULTS: This study ultimately included 14 RCTs, with a total of 1024 patients. The results showed that PRP has significant advantages compared with control groups in VAS (mean difference (MD) =-0.38, 95% confidence interval(CI)(-0.73, -0.03), P = 0.03), UCLA (MD = 3.31, 95% CI (1.02,5.60),P = 0.005), DASH (MD = -4.94,95% CI (-9.34, -0.53),P = 0.03), SPADI (SPADI Total: MD =-16.87, 95% CI (-22.84, -10.91), P < 0.00001; SPADI Pain: MD =-5.38, 95% CI (-7.80, -2.97), P < 0.0001; SPADI Disability: MD =-11.00, 95% CI (-13.61,-8.39), P < 0.00001), and the active and passive Range of Motion (active flexion: MD = 12.70, 95% CI (7.44, 17.95), P < 0.00001; passive flexion: MD = 9.47, 95% CI(3.80, 15.14), P = 0.001; active extension: MD = 3.45, 95% CI(2.39, 4.50), P < 0.00001; active abduction: MD = 13.54, 95% CI(8.42, 18.67), P < 0.00001; passive abduction: MD = 14.26, 95% CI (5.97, 22.56), P = 0.0008; active internal rotation: MD = 5.16, 95% CI (1.84, 8.48), P = 0.002; passive internal rotation: MD = 3.65, 95% CI(1.15, 6.15), P = 0.004; active external rotation: MD = 10.50, 95% CI(5.47, 15.53), P < 0.0001; passive external rotation: MD = 6.00, 95% CI (1.82, 10.19), P = 0.005) except passive extension (MD = 2.25, 95% CI (-0.77, 5.28), P = 0.14). In terms of safety, most studies reported no adverse effects, and only one study reported common complications of joint puncture such as swelling and pain after treatment in both PRP and control groups. Previous studies have shown a risk of osteonecrosis caused by corticosteroids. Therefore, the safety of PRP treatment is more reliable.
CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that PRP was more durable and safer than corticosteroids and other control groups in the treatment of frozen shoulder.
METHODS: Systematic review.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO CRD42022359444, date of registration: 22-09-2022.

UNASSIGNED: Frozen shoulder is a troublesome disease of the shoulder joint. It leads to marked disability because of pain with restriction of active and passive movement of the joint. We aimed to determine and compare the efficacy of combined suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks with suprascapular nerve block alone for the treatment of frozen shoulder pain.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 61 patients with frozen shoulder included in the study underwent ultrasound-guided combined suprascapular and axillary nerve block (n ​= ​31) and suprascapular nerve block (n ​= ​30). All the patients were assessed for visual analogue scale (VAS) pain (0-10), simple pain score (0-5), total pain score (0-9), range of motion (abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation) of the affected shoulder joint at baseline and post-procedure at 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
UNASSIGNED: There was a significant improvement in VAS pain score, simple pain scores, total pain scores and range of motion of the affected shoulder joint in both groups at all time points as compared to the baseline. However, in the combined nerve block group the VAS scores, simple and total pain scores, abduction, and internal rotation were significantly better at 6 months, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The combined block provided faster and superior pain relief and improvement in function.

UNASSIGNED: Rotator interval (RI) corticosteroid injections are used to alleviate pain associated with adhesive capsulitis, though the pattern of injectate spread remains unclear. The purpose of this anatomical study was to assess the staining patterns of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures of the glenohumeral joint following medial-to-lateral and lateral-to-medial RI injections.
UNASSIGNED: Ten cadaveric specimens were injected with a methylene blue dye injectate: five using a medial-to-lateral RI injection technique and five using a lateral-to-medial RI injection technique. Serial dissection was performed to assess the staining of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures. The frequency of capture and degree of staining were compared between injection groups.
UNASSIGNED: The lateral-to-medial injection resulted in the capture of all intra-articular; intracapsular/extrasynovial; and pericapsular structures, whereas the medial-to-lateral injection did not consistently stain all structures. Intracapsular/extrasynovial structures (superior glenohumeral ligament and the long head of biceps tendon) were more darkly stained in the lateral-to-medial group, and pericapsular structures (supraspinatus tendon and coracohumeral ligament) were more darkly stained in the medial-to-lateral group.
UNASSIGNED: The frequency of capture and degree of staining of intra-articular, intracapsular/extrasynovial, and pericapsular structures of the glenohumeral joint differed between medial-to-lateral and lateral-to-medial RI injection techniques, which may influence outcomes in pain management for adhesive capsulitis.

UNASSIGNED: Although several studies have reported the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for adhesive capsulitis (AC), research on pharmacopuncture therapy for AC remains limited. We compared the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture and physiotherapy for AC.
UNASSIGNED: This pragmatic, randomized, controlled, parallel-group pilot study enrolled patients with limitations of shoulder movement and a numeric rating scale (NRS) score for shoulder pain ≥5 randomized (1:1) to the pharmacopuncture therapy (PPT) and physiotherapy (PT) groups. Treatment sessions were administered twice weekly for 6 weeks, and the participants were followed up for 13 weeks after randomization. The primary outcome was the NRS score for shoulder pain, and the secondary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), range of motion (ROM), patient global impression of change (PGIC), EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), and Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) scores. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was set as the primary analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Among 50 participants, for the primary endpoint (week 7) the PPT group showed a significantly superior improvement in NRS, VAS, SPADI, ROM for flexion, ROM for abduction, and EQ-5D-5L scores. The ROM for extension, ROM for adduction, physical component summary, and patient global impression of change were significantly better in the PPT than in the PT group, and these effects were sustained until week 13.
UNASSIGNED: In this pilot study, PPT showed better effects than PT, confirming the feasibility of a follow-up main study.
UNASSIGNED: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05292482) and cris.nih.go.kr (KCT0007198).

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether 5 mL would not be less effective than 10 mL when performing a suprascapular nerve block, regarding shoulder function and quality of life in primary adhesive capsulitis.
METHODS: This is a pilot study of a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial conducted at a single center. Patients with AC characterized by constant pain and restricted movements in anterior elevation, 0°/90° external rotation, and internal rotation were selected. Two groups were randomly selected. In group I, a dose of 10 mL of bupivacaine was applied, while in group II, only 5 mL, in four weekly blocks. Sealed and sequentially numbered envelopes were used. The SF-36 and DASH questionnaires were applied in five moments. The t-Student test was used to compare the means, with a probability of rejecting null hypothesis of 5%.
RESULTS: There were 17 participants with primary AC, seven in group I and 10 in group II. The average age was 54.30 and 50.43 years in the 5 mL and 10 mL groups, respectively. There were no differences when the means were compared by DASH: T0 (p = 0.074); T2 (p = 0.285); T4 (p = 0.333); T8 (p = 0.392), and T12 (p = 0.453). As for the SF-36, there were sparse differences in T2 in the domains of vitality (p = 0.006) and social aspects (p = 0.036) in favor of group I, and in the general health status domain in T8, in favor of group II (p = 0.033).
CONCLUSIONS: The volume of 5 mL is not less effective than 10 mL when performing SSNB in the treatment of primary adhesive capsulitis.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacoacupuncture (PA) is an alternative injection therapy for a broad range of conditions. This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness and safety of PA in treating frozen shoulder (FS) and aims to standardise PA characteristics in clinical practice.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing PA for FS were systematically reviewed from seven electronic databases up to August 31, 2023. Outcomes measured included the visual analogue scale (VAS) or numerical rating scale (NRS), effective rate, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), ROM, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3, with the risk of bias in each trial evaluated using Cochrane\'s risk of bias tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool assessed the quality of evidence.
RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs involving 1034 patients met the inclusion criteria, with eleven RCTs and 872 patients included in the meta-analysis. PA showed low-quality evidence of improvement in VAS, effective rate, CMS Total, and CMS Pain. Moderate-quality evidence indicated improvement in CMS ADL and CMS Mobility. PA was effective in four SF-36 subscales: physical function, social role function, mental health, and emotional role function. No significant difference in CMS strength was observed. One trial reported mild anaphylaxis reaction to bee venom as an adverse event.
CONCLUSIONS: PA may offer potential benefits as an alternative injection therapy for FS patients. Further well-designed RCTs with rigorous methodology are required to substantiate its therapeutic efficacy and clinical utility.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO (CRD42023445708).

BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) causes a spontaneous onset of discomfort and a progressive loss of shoulder mobility among type II diabetic patients. These patients experience severe loss of shoulder function, which impairs their day-to-day tasks and requires immediate care. According to scientific evidence, Gong\'s mobilization has an immediate effect on improving shoulder mobility. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Gong\'s mobilization along with conventional physiotherapy in order to reduce pain and enhance the range of motion (ROM).
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Gong\'s mobilization and conventional physiotherapy for type II diabetic patients with AC.
METHODS: This experimental study included 32 participants between the ages of 40 and 60 years who were diagnosed with shoulder AC which followed type II diabetes. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups: the Gong\'s mobilization group and the conventional physiotherapy group. The participants in both groups received the intervention for four weeks. Outcome measures used for assessment before and after treatment were the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and ROM. Data was analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests.
RESULTS: This study\'s results suggested that there was a better improvement in the pre- and post-test mean values of SPADI and shoulder ROM (p < 0.001) in both groups following a four-week intervention. There was a statistically significant difference in the post-intervention results between the two groups (P <0.05), indicating that Gong\'s mobilization technique is more effective than conventional treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: The study findings showed reduced discomfort, and improved ROM and SPADI scores after the intervention. Both the treatments (Gong\'s mobilization and conventional approach) applied to AC for type II diabetes patients were beneficial. However, Gong\'s mobilization technique is more effective in treating AC in fewer treatment appointments compared with conventional therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intra-articular glenohumeral joint triamcinolone injection in treating secondary adhesive capsulitis after breast cancer surgery.
METHODS: This study prospectively enrolled 37 participants, including 22 in the breast cancer surgery group and 15 in the idiopathic group. All participants received intra-articular glenohumeral joint triamcinolone injection in the affected shoulder joint. The clinical outcomes included the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), passive range of motion (PROM), and pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), which were evaluated before the intervention and 1, 3, and 6 months after. The primary outcome of this study was the mean difference in the total SPADI from baseline to 6 months after the intervention.
RESULTS: The mean differences in the total SPADI scores from baseline to 6 months after the intervention were 36.2 ± 16.4 and 47.9 ± 15.2 in the breast cancer surgery group and the idiopathic group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.1495). However, the improvements in the SPADI pain subscale at the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits (-31.2 vs. -48.8, p = 0.042; -34.1 vs. -50.7, p = 0.0006) and the PROM of abduction at the 3-month follow-up (52.4 vs. 70.3, p = 0.0072) were inferior in the breast cancer surgery group compared to the idiopathic group. There were no adverse events in either group.
CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular triamcinolone injection is an effective and safe treatment option for adhesive capsulitis after breast cancer surgery; however, it has less effect than for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis.

OBJECTIVE: Frozen Shoulder (FS) is a musculoskeletal pathology that leads to disability, functional decline, and a worsening in quality of life. Physiotherapists are the primary professionals involved in the treatment of FS, and it is essential to determine if their practice aligns with evidence-based suggestions.
OBJECTIVE: The aim is to assess the knowledge, skills, and operational strategies of Italian physiotherapists regarding FS and compare them with the existing literature.
METHODS: A web-based, anonymous, and voluntary cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to Italian physiotherapists to evaluate their clinical practices.
RESULTS: A total of 501 physiotherapists (38.5% female), completed the survey. More than half were under 35 years old (67.8%), declared working in private practice settings or being self-employed (57.1%), and were primarily engaged with musculoskeletal patients (81.8%). For subjects with FS at their first access, 21.4% identified X-rays as the most useful imaging technique to recognize pathologies beyond rehabilitation competence. In terms of general management, the majority reported working with an orthopaedic or physiatrist (47.5%) or in a multidisciplinary team (33.5%). Regarding manual therapy techniques, 63.3% of physiotherapists preferred intense degree mobilization, posterior direction, and moderate pain at the end of the range of motion for low irritable/high stiffness FS; however, there is a lack of consensus for managing very irritable/low stiffness FS. The majority of physiotherapists (57.7%) concurred that stretching improves the balance between metalloproteinase and its inhibitors. Additionally, 48.3% of physiotherapists selected mobile phone videos and messages to improve patients\' compliance with exercises at home and for motivational/educational purposes.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinical practices of Italian physiotherapists in FS subjects sometimes deviate from evidence-based recommendations. While some discrepancies may be attributed to the existing uncertainties in the literature regarding knowledge and management strategies for FS patients, the authors recommend a stronger adherence to evidence-based practice.

UNASSIGNED: Mounting evidence suggests a connection between inflammatory cytokines and adhesive capsulitis (AC). However, the specific systemic inflammatory cytokines contributing to AC have not been clearly identified. This study employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationships between 41 inflammatory cytokines and AC.
UNASSIGNED: In this bidirectional, two-sample MR analysis, genetic variations associated with AC were derived from a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS). The inflammatory cytokines data were sourced from a GWAS summary involving 8,293 healthy participants. The primary MR method employed was inverse variance weighting, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier for sensitivity analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran\'s Q test, and the MR results were validated using the leave-one-out method.
UNASSIGNED: Elevated levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.086, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.002-1.178) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) (OR = 1.107, 95% CI = 1.026-1.195) were linked to an increased risk of AC. Increased levels of stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) (OR = 0.879, 95% CI = 0.793-0.974) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (OR = 0.911, 95% CI = 0.831-0.999) were associated with a reduced AC risk. Moreover, genetically predicted AC exhibited associations with elevated cutaneous T cell attracting (CTACK) levels (OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 1.007-1.435) and diminished levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) (OR = 0.678, 95% CI = 0.518-0.888) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) (OR = 0.786, 95% CI = 0.654-0.944), as confirmed through inverse-variance weighted (IVW) methods.
UNASSIGNED: The present study successfully establishes a causal association between genetically proxied circulating levels of IP-10, RANTES, SDF-1α, and TNF-α and the risk of AC. Additionally, AC contributes to an increase in CTACK and a decrease in IL-17 and IL-5. This significant finding not only enhances the understanding of the pathogenesis of AC but also holds promise for the development of effective clinical management strategies.