Comparison of the rounded shoulder, kyphosis postures, and glenohumeral range of motion in patients with primary and secondary frozen shoulder

Abstract

Background: Frozen shoulder syndrome is a common pathological condition of the shoulder characterized by pain, capsular stiffness, and limited movement of the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder joint problems can be related to the posture of the shoulder girdle and position of the scapula. This study aimed to compare the rounded shoulder and kyphotic posture and shoulder range of motion in patients with primary and secondary frozen shoulders.

Methods: Fifty-five female patients with frozen shoulder, diagnosed by a physician, were divided into primary (n = 25) and secondary (n = 30) groups. Photography and Kinovea software were used to measure the rounded shoulder angle, a flexible ruler for the kyphosis angle, and a universal goniometer for shoulder range of motion. For data analysis, we utilized SPSS software. In order to compare the groups, independent t-test was used at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The results showed that the rounded shoulder (p = 0.001) and kyphosis (p = 0.002) angles were significantly greater in the primary group compared to the secondary group. There was no significant difference between the two groups for flexion (p = 0.874), abduction (p = 0.786), extension (p = 0.331), and internal rotation (p = 0.128) range of motion. However the external rotation range of motion in the primary group was significantly less (p = 0.028) compared to the secondary group.

Conclusions: People with primary frozen shoulder are more likely to experience postural problems in the shoulder girdle and have a limited range of motion for external rotation compared to those with secondary frozen shoulder.

Keywords: External rotation; Frozen shoulder syndrome; Kyphosis; Posture.