Therapeutic observation of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

To objectively evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacies of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS). One hundred patients diagnosed with ACS were divided into two groups using the random number method. The two groups both received same active rehabilitation exercises. Besides, 55 cases in the treatment group were given one session of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia, and 45 cases in the control group were given tuina treatment. Changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score, Melle score and pressure pain index were observed 1 month and 3 months after treatment. The therapeutic efficacies were also compared. The total effective rate was 96.4% at the 1-month follow-up and 96.4% at the 3-month follow-up in the treatment group. The total effective rate was 33.3% at the 1-month follow-up and 28.9% at the 3-month follow-up in the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups comparing the total effective rate at the two time points (both Ps 0.05). Based on the active rehabilitation exercises, one session of arthrolysis under brachial plexus anesthesia can release the adhesion and restore the range of motion and function of shoulder joint in ACS patients. It is superior to rehabilitation exercises plus tuina treatment comparing both short-term and long-term efficacies.