Study Summary

30 patients with refractory primary frozen shoulder were randomized to Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) (n = 15; 10 diabetic, 5 non-diabetic) or Arthroscopic Capsular Release (ACR) (n = 15; 12 diabetic, 3 non-diabetic). All 30 patients were analyzed. The outcomes were pain assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and shoulder function measured using Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores. Other outcomes included range of motion (ROM) parameters (abduction, forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation). Assessments were conducted preoperatively and at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Overall, the results revealed substantial improvements in pain, ROM, and functional scores in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between MUA and ACR across all measured parameters. Although MUA demonstrated slightly faster early gains, and long-term outcomes at 1 year were comparable. These findings suggest that both surgical techniques are equally effective in refractory primary frozen shoulder.