Effects of Spencer Technique Following Hydrodilation in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis, also subsequently known as Frozen shoulder is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by painful and progressive joint restriction in capsular pattern. It has a prevalence of 2 to 5% in general population and the incidence is more in females mostly aged 40 to 60 years mostly suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. Adhesive Capsulitis can be classified into three phases; Freezing (painful), Frozen (stiffening) and Thawing (resolution phase). The treatment protocol is planned such to improve the range of motion and reduce pain. Various treatment regimes are followed for treatment of adhesive capsulitis, either it be in medical field, physical therapy or in worst cases surgical treatments too.

Hydrodilation, a medical procedure which involves injecting a fluid (mainly normal saline) into the joint space which expands the space breaking up scar tissue and loosening the joint. This method is being widely used in isolation or in combination with other methods to treat Adhesive capsulitis.

Spencer technique on another hand is a physical therapy technique which in isolation or in conjunction with other treatments is used to treat patients with adhesive capsulitis. Spencer muscle energy technique is a seven 7 step procedure which consists of shoulder extension with elbow flexed, shoulder flexion with elbow flexed, circumduction with compression, circumduction with traction, Abduction then adduction with external rotation and glenohumeral pump.

Hence the current study will investigate the effects of Spencer technique following hydrodilation in patients with Adhesive Capsulitis.

The study includes subjects with unilateral adhesive capsulitis, 40-60 years of age both male and female and have undergone Hydrodilation. The selction of subjects will be using non probability purposive sampling technique. Participants will be randomized using sealed envelope method and allocated to one of two groups.

The data collection tool for pain is VAS, for ROM is Goniometer and for disability is SPADI.

The time duration for treatment protocol is total of 12 sessions, 3 sessions per week. Exercise is done 3 to 5 times with rest periods.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with diagnosed unilateral Adhesive Capsulitis and have undergone Hydrodilation. --Includes both genders
• Age 40 to 60 years. Exclusion Criteria
• Population who have recently undergone major shoulder injury or surgery, had fracture or open wound or there is reduction of Glen humeral ROM due to any other cause other than Adhesive Capsulitis