The shoulder capsule is crucial for shoulder flexibility but can become stiffened in a condition called frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder occurs most commonly between ages 40-60 and causes stiffness and reduced movement of the shoulder. For mild cases, physical therapy may help, but more severe cases may require shoulder capsule release surgery. This minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure makes small incisions to insert a camera and thermal probe to cut and remove excess stiff capsule tissue, restoring flexibility without extensive scarring. Recovery is mild, allowing patients to return to normal activities within a week.

1. Shoulder Capsule Release Surgery for Frozen Shoulder
The shoulder is a highly sophisticated and complex joint in the body, and is
vulnerable to a number of different types of malfunction. Tissues and muscles
within the shoulder aim to stabilize and provide strength for your arm to move
accessibly. The shoulder capsule is crucial in the flexibility of your shoulder, and
supports the movements of your arm. While the shoulder capsule provides support
for your arms flexibility, it is susceptible to a condition known as frozen shoulder,
where strong tissue builds up in the socket and prevents comfortable arm
movement. Patients suffering from frozen shoulder are able to seek treatment for
the condition known as shoulder capsule release surgery.
Shoulder Capsule: Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder occurs in 2% of the population, and more commonly between the
ages of 40 and 60. Frozen shoulder is a condition where the connective tissue in the
shoulder capsule socket becomes thickened and impedes the motion of the
shoulder. Tissue thickening is often accompanied by a reduction in lubricating
synovial fluid in the joint. The shoulder feels stiff, and hard to rotate or even move.
Without treatment, stiff bands of tissue can continue to develop across the shoulder
capsule and worsen symptoms.
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
For patients with mild symptoms, certain exercises and physical therapy can
alleviate pain and stiffness, and restore mobility to the shoulder capsule. If the
tissue is excessively thick, and physical therapy will not relieve symptoms on its
own, minimally invasive surgery is available to relieve frozen shoulder.
Minimally invasive arthroscopy is a state of the art technique utilized to perform
shoulder capsule release surgery. Shoulder capsule release surgery releases the
stiffened joint capsule that has formed to restore mobility within the joint. The
surgery utilizes minimally invasive techniques to reach the shoulder capsule
through small incisions made on each side of the shoulder. A small fiber optic
instrument guides the doctor to the joint capsule build up through the small
incisions, leaving minimal scarring and shortening the healing period.
Shoulder Capsule Release Arthroscopy
In a shoulder capsule release arthroscopic procedure, the doctor will begin by
making two small incisions on either side of the symptomatic shoulder. A small,
precise camera is inserted along with a radiofrequency thermal probe to fix clear
affected site. The camera guides the radiofrequency thermal probe to the abnormal
or scarred capsule tissue to be removed. The radiofrequency thermal probe cuts the
problematic tissue, which frees the joint and restores flexibility to the arm and
shoulder. Excess debris that can cause irritation to the joint is removed from the

2. shoulder capsule, and the insert devices are removed. The procedure is performed
on an outpatient basis, so the patient can return home the same day.
Recovery from minimally invasive arthroscopy in the shoulder is mild, and the
patient should be able to return to their normal routine within a week. Mild pain
and swelling will lessen if the patient avoids over exertion. Shoulder capsule release
surgery will make you feel as if you have a new shoulder, one that can move and
rotate freely, without stiffness or pain.