To describe the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic management followed by manipulation under anesthesia in chronic idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

We evaluated nineteen patients who had a mean follow-up period of 3 years 1 month using the UCLA shoulder rating score. Arthroscopic management included an arthroscopic examination and debridement of the glenohumeral joint and the subacromial space, as well as the release of the rotator interval, the capsule, the glenohumeral ligaments and the inferior recess. Manipulation was performed after the arthroscopic procedures.

Thirteen patients (68%) were completely free from pain. The forward elevation was im-proved from 97 degrees to 175 degrees, the abduction from 69 degrees to 170 degrees, the external rotation from 8 degrees to 51 degrees, and the internal rotation from the range of the buttock and the 3rd-4th lumbar spinous process to the level of the 7th-9th thoracic spinous process. The average UCLA shoulder rating score was 9 points before the operation and 34 points after the operation.

Our clinical findings suggest that arthroscopic management followed by manipulation is an effective method for the treatment of chronic idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.