Laser Therapy in Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is an idiopathic disease characterized by a decrease in the volume of the glenoid capsule, the development of fibrosis and a progressive decrease in the range of joint movement with pain. Shoulder pain and stiffness are accompanied by disability. It is thought that the incidence is 3% to 5% in the general population and 20% in people with diabetes. Although usually reported to be self-limiting in 2 to 3 years, studies have reported that 40% of patients have persistent pain and stiffness for more than 3 years. Therefore, various therapies are used to reduce pain and increase the range of motion more rapidly without waiting for spontaneous recovery. Adhesive capsulitis treatment includes conservative and surgical treatment options. The options for non-surgical treatments are pharmacological treatments including intra-articular injection and physical therapy modalities. As for physical therapy modalities, various interventions are used. These include heat or ice, therapeutic ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and laser therapies. The aim of exercise programs consisting of joint range of motion (ROM), strengthening and stretching exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and mobilization techniques is to alleviate pain caused by the capsular contracture and to improve glenohumeral ROM. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the effects of high-intensity laser therapy on pain, disease - related disability and quality of life in patients with shoulder restriction and pain due to adhesive capsulitis.