Arthroscopic Lysis of Adhesions

When frozen shoulder fails to improve adequately with non-surgical treatment, surgery to release the scar tissue may be required. First, the shoulder is carefully taken through a range of motion to release some of the scarred capsular adhesions around the shoulder. Next, the arthroscopic camera is inserted into the shoulder through a small incision called a “portal”. Small surgical instruments are passed through a second portal to complete the release and restore range of motion.

Arthroscopic lysis of adhesions is an outpatient surgery. Patients go home the same day. If a nerve block was performed for pain control, a sling is used only until the effect of the block has worn off. Patients are encouraged to move the shoulder as much as possible starting the day after surgery and physical therapy is started immediately to maintain the gains in range of motion achieved with surgery.