Adhesive capsulitis - A treatment approach

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder is a condition of unknown etiology that results in the development of restriction of active and passive glenohumer al motion, The authors will review what currently is known about the etiolo gy of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis, will raise unanswered questions regar ding etiology and treatment, and will define a stage-based evaluation and t reatment program. Treatment options including benign neglect, home-based an d supervised physical therapy, intraarticular corticosteroid injections, cl osed manipulations, and arthroscopic capsular release will be reviewed crit ically and the authors' approach to the treatment of patients with idiopath ic adhesive capsulitis also will be presented. Additionally, areas of futur e research will be defined.