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Anterior capsular contracture

Contents

Definition

  • Injury which only affects the anterior aspect of the capsule of the shoulder

Causes

  • Usually develops as the result of a trauma, such as:
    • Previous rupture to the infraspinatus tendon
      • Loss of lateral rotation of the shoulder can lead to loss of elasticity of the anterior aspect of the shoulder and capsule
    • Previous subluxation
    • Direct trauma to shoulder

Examination

  • Painful limitation of passive lateral rotation
    • Early stage end-feel is spastic
    • Later stage it changes to a hard end-feel

Treatment

  • Capsular stretching and mobilization is adviced