Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common painful disorder associated with diminishing glenohumeral movement. This has led to the need for an evidence-based approach to assess the isokinetic strength and endurance of shoulder muscles in such disease conditions.The main aim of the current study was to determine whether isokinetic dynamometric values of peak torque (PT) and fatigue index of shoulder muscles are different between patients with AC in the recovery phase and the healthy subjects.

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common painful disorder associated with diminishing glenohumeral movement. This has led to the need for an evidence-based approach to assess the isokinetic strength and endurance of shoulder muscles in such disease conditions.The main aim of the current study was to determine whether isokinetic dynamometric values of peak torque (PT) and fatigue index of shoulder muscles are different between patients with AC in the recovery phase and the healthy subjects.The study involved a total of sixty subjects within the age group 40 and 60 years comprising thirty in the recovery phase of AC and thirty healthy controls. The Biodex System 3 Isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure shoulder abductor, internal rotator and external rotator peak torques and fatigue indices.

Inclusion Criteria:

The AC group included participants that met the following criteria, based on a previous study conducted by Ramirez [2] :

1. clinical diagnosis of unilateral AC by an orthopedic specialist, with the limitation of both active and passive glenohumeral ROM, exceeding 25% in at least two of the following planes: flexion, abduction, and external rotation
2. symptom duration between 3 and 12 months
3. no prior surgery to the involved shoulder
4. age between 40 and 60 years. -The control group consisted of healthy individuals of comparable age and sex distribution with no history of shoulder pain, injury, or pathology

Exclusion Criteria:

1. history of shoulder fracture, dislocation, or surgery;
2. corticosteroid or muscle relaxant use within the previous three months
3. cardiovascular or respiratory conditions that could limit physical testing
4. concurrent participation in structured shoulder strengthening programs
5. inability to perform the isokinetic assessment protocol safely
6. systemic musculoskeletal, neurological or rheumatologic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and cervical radiculopathy. Individuals with diabetes mellitus were excluded due to its well-established association with AC.

In the present study, 60 participants between 40 and 60 years were recruited. They were enrolled in the experimental group, which included 30 typical subjects with unilateral AC and the control group (dominant shoulder) that included 30 healthy individuals of the same age and sex. Individuals were recruited from the outpatient clinics and respective orthopedic centers. They were informed through an advertisement poster placed on the bulletin of the mentioned locations and referred from a physician.