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Research Article: Short-term outcomes of adding supervised joint mobilization to ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block plus home exercise for frozen shoulder: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Date Published: 2026-09-17

Abstract:
To compare 4-week short-term outcomes associated with adding supervised joint mobilization to ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) plus home exercise in patients with frozen shoulder and to explore factors associated with poor treatment response. This single-center retrospective cohort study included 124 patients with frozen shoulder who received SSNB between January 2024 and December 2024. The basic-treatment group received SSNB plus home exercise ( n =?58), and the combined-treatment group received the same basic treatment plus supervised joint mobilization ( n =?66). VAS pain score, shoulder range of motion, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), clinical response, and adverse events were evaluated at baseline and/or at 4 weeks. Continuous 4-week outcomes were analyzed by ANCOVA with adjustment for the corresponding baseline value and age; poor response was additionally analyzed by logistic regression adjusted for age and baseline VAS. After adjustment for the corresponding baseline value and age, compared with the basic-treatment group, the combined-treatment group had a lower VAS score [adjusted mean difference (AMD), ?0.78; 95% CI, ?1.37 to ?0.19; P =?0.010], greater forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation (AMD, 4.78°, 4.03°, and 3.38°, respectively; all P <?0.05), and a lower SPADI total score (AMD, ?6.80; 95% CI, ?11.08 to ?2.53; P =?0.002). The adjusted between-group difference in CMS total score was not statistically significant (AMD, 3.42; 95% CI, ?0.50 to 7.35; P =?0.087). The overall response rate was 89.39% in the combined-treatment group and 70.69% in the basic-treatment group; after adjustment for age and baseline VAS, combined treatment was associated with lower odds of poor response (adjusted OR, 0.319; 95% CI, 0.117–0.868; P =?0.025). Adverse-event rates did not differ significantly between groups ( P =?0.147). In this single-center retrospective cohort, adding supervised joint mobilization to SSNB plus home exercise was associated with better 4-week pain, range-of-motion, and SPADI outcomes after adjustment for age and corresponding baseline values; the adjusted CMS difference was not statistically significant. These findings represent short-term associations and do not establish causality or long-term benefit.

Introduction:
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common shoulder disorder characterized by pain and progressive restriction of active and passive range of motion; the condition can persist for months to years and substantially impairs patients’ daily activities and work capacity ( 1 ). Epidemiological studies indicate that frozen shoulder affects approximately 2%–5% of the general population, occurs most often between 40 and 65 years of age, is slightly more common in women, and preferentially affects the…

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