A Comparative Study of Patients with Periarthritis Shoulder on Treatment with Analgesics Only and Analgesics Plus Exercises

Background: Frozen Shoulder is known to be a painful condition affecting the shoulder joint that results in significant loss of range of motion. A number of published comprehensive studies have suggested the different modalities of treatment. In this study, we focussed on the effect of exercise on enhancing the restricted motion and reducing the severity of pain.

Objective: The objective is to study the influence of exercise on range of motion and pain severity in Frozen shoulder patients.

Materials and Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with Periarthritis Shoulder were selected from orthopaedic outpatient in Saveetha Medical College, Chennai. These patients were randomly divided in two groups, receiving analgesics as well as exercises and another receiving only analgesic. They were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for the severity of their pain and range of motion with a Goniometer and results noted.

Results: The group receiving exercise in addition to analgesics showed greater reduction in pain severity and range of motion.

Conclusion: Physical exercise of the Shoulder joint helps in restoring the mobility and relieves stiffening of the muscles and hence should be added as the mainstay of treatment with pain relief.