Formal Physical Therapy (PT) vs. Home PT for Adhesive Capsulitis

This is an interventional treatment trial for Adhesive Capsulitis focused on measuring physical therapy, home exercise, adhesive capsulitis Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinical Diagnosis of Adhesive Capsulitis (limited range of motion)
2. Given glenohumeral and subacromial injection as part of standard care.
3. Capacity to conduct home exercise program or physical therapy (based upon physician judgment, proximity to physical therapy office and as decided by patient)
4. English speaking
5. 18 years of age or greater

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior glenohumeral or subacromial corticosteroid injection within 6 months
2. Prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery
3. Current prescription (narcotic) pain medication use
4. Pain disorder (ex. Fibromyalgia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
5. Cervical radiculopathy
6. Full-thickness rotator cuff tear
7. Calcific Tendinopathy (past or present)
8. Advanced Stage osteoarthritis as seen on radiograph
9. Past/present ipsilateral shoulder fracture
10. Women that may be pregnant or nursing (self report)

Past/present physical therapy treatment will be documented, but will not be considered an exclusion factor. The reasoning behind this is that the physical therapy likely was not properly targeting the adhesive capsulitis for the patient to arrive in an orthopaedic clinic and is likely at a similar starting point to most other patients regardless of previous physical therapy. All patients currently enrolled in physical therapy will be assigned to either our physical therapy or home exercise program.