We treated 26 frozen shoulders in 26 cases separated into two groups by arthroscopic capsular release. Group A comprised 14 patients (male 7, female 7) with an average age of 53.7 (34-78) who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD). Group B consisted of 12 cases (male 5, female 7) with an average age of 58.2 (41-78) who were treated without ASD. The mean follow-up period was 14 (12-16) months. We compared the range of motion in the effected shoulders and the Japan Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores between the two groups. We also investigated any improvement of ROM one month after operation in regards to rehabilitation being performed 3 times or under 2 times per week in order to acquire a greater ROM of external rotation. Group A led group B significantly with superior clinical results including ROM and JOA scores. Furthermore, rehabilitation administered 3 times per week increased the ROM of the shoulder after one month of operation. Therefore, it was found that in arthroscopic capsular release of frozen shoulder, additional treatment with ASD and frequent rehabilitation with ROM exercises for external rotation yielded clinical improvement in frozen shoulder outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term efficacy of rehabilitation following arthroscopic synovectomy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic agents. METHODS: Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed in 29 joints of 17 patients, which were divided into two groups. Group 1 included arthroscopic synovectomy plus rehabilitation for 19 joints in 10 patients, and group 2 included arthroscopic synovectomy without rehabilitation for 10 joints in 7 patients. The Disease Activity Score C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) values (motor subscale) at 9.7 years after arthroscopic synovectomy were evaluated to identify the clinical factors related to outcomes. RESULTS: The increase in FIM score was significant in group 1 (p=0.05). HAQ-DI at 9 years was significantly decreased in group 1 (p=0.02). Therefore, arthroscopic synovectomy with rehabilitation was significant in improving FIM and HAQ-DI scores over a long period. Multiple regression analysis of FIM scores at 9 years indicated that rehabilitation (p=0.03) and disease duration (p=0.02) were significantly related to outcomes. FIM score at 9 years was significantly negatively correlated with disease duration (p=0.01, r=−0.58, Y=88.89–0.21X). CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation following arthroscopic synovectomy was effective in achieving high FIM scores over time in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Biological Factors* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Humans ; Joints ; Rehabilitation*