Simultaneous arthroscopic treatment of adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tear: a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients who underwent simultaneous arthroscopic capsular release for adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff repair.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients treated between 2014 and 2023 who underwent arthroscopic global capsular release combined with rotator cuff repair. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes, including range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and Constant scores, were assessed with a minimum follow-up of six months.

Results: Among 69 patients undergoing capsular release, 29 patients (20 females, 9 males; mean age: 56 years) received concurrent rotator cuff repair. The mean follow-up period was 14 months. Most tears involved the supraspinatus (25 full-thickness, 4 partial bursal-side). Complications were minimal, with only two diabetic patients displaying persistent ROM limitations and there were no re-tear in followup period. Statistically significant differences seen in ROM, VAS and Constant scores, VAS decreased from 7.1 to 1.2, Constant score improved from 37.5 to 72.3 (P < .05).

Conclusion: Simultaneous arthroscopic management of adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tears provides favorable clinical and functional outcomes with lower complication rates compared to current literature, supporting its value as an effective treatment option. However, the limited sample size and relatively short follow-up should be considered when interpreting these results.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Cite this article as: Sıvacıoğlu S, Tunalı O, Çetin O, Atalar AC. Simultaneous arthroscopic treatment of adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tear: A retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc., 2025;59(5):265-267.