Bilateral Arm-Abduction Shoulder Radiography to Determine the Involvement of the Scapulothoracic Motion in Frozen Shoulder

BackhroundsWe hypothesize that there is no difference in the motion of the scapula with respect tothe thoracic wall (scapulothoracic interface) between the affected versus non-affectedshoulder on °0 and °90 standard arm abduction radiography.MethodsWe enrolled 30 patients with the diagnosis of unilateral frozen shoulder after ruling out ofother pathologies. Bilateral standard shoulder radiography was done in two position of °0and °90 of arm abduction. Non-affected side was used as a control group.ResultsThe mean scapulothoracic angle of the affected side was significantly larger than the nonaffectedside in both °0 and °90of abduction in spite that the scapulohumeral angles werecomparable in °0, indicating potential alteration in scapular positioning.ConclusionsScapulothoracic motion and position can be affected in frozen shoulder along with otherareas. All treatment modalities should be applied to this area as well if substantial differencewas detected between the two sides.