title: Conservative integrated treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this study was to present the results of a conservative treatment for adhesive capsulitis based on an original protocol of combined pharmacological and rehabilitation treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  fifty-two patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis were enrolled in the present study. The treatment protocol included the use of hyaluronic acid and anaesthetic periarticular and intra-articular injections followed by a specific program of capsule and muscle stretching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the results of this treatment showed complete recovery of range of motion (ROM) in 50 of the 52 cases. The mean pre-treatment ROM values were: 85° for forward elevation, 75° for abduction, 25° for external rotation, and 15° for internal rotation. The post-treatment mean ROM values showed marked improvements: 175° for forward elevation, 175° for abduction, 87.5° for external rotation and 75° for internal rotation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  conservative treatment of adhesive capsulitis based on a combined pharmacological and rehabilitation approach was found to be effective in resolving pain and stiffness in 96% of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: IFCA Florence Institute of Care and Support, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics-Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arrighi
authors.affiliation: Alma Mater Clinic, La Spezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignale
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics-Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Molfetta
keywords: adhesive capsulitis; drug therapy; hyaluronic acid; rehabilitation; shoulder