Gong v/s Kaltenborn Mobilization in Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis or periarthritis, more commonly termed as frozen shoulder is a pathological process where adhesions are formed across glenohumeral joint causing debilitating pain and movement restrictions. The pathology is categorized as primary, being idiopathic and occur spontaneously without any inciting event, or secondary which occur as a result of some identifiable disorder such as diabetes mellitus (where a cascade of inflammatory reactions, collagen build-up and other extracellular components lead to tendon fibrosis and dysfunction, presenting as diabetic frozen shoulder) or some other inciting event. The incidence of frozen shoulder is evident to be 3-5% in general population while it's up to 20% in diabetic patients. Further it is more evident in females aged 40-60 years. Moreover frozen shoulder is classified into four stages which include Stage-I characterized by painful shoulder at rest and disturbed sleep, lasting up to 3 months; Stage-II termed the "freezing stage" is identified by chronic pain along with restrictions in range of motion (ROM) and last up to 9 months; Stage-III called the "frozen stage" where a considerable reduction in ROM and a rigid end feel is observed and occurs during 9 to 15 months of onset; Stage-IV is "thawing phase" where ROM improves progressively, as frozen shoulder is a self-limiting condition and lasts from 15 to 24 months.

The standard exercise protocol followed for management of frozen shoulder include active and active assisted exercises, Codman exercises, wall and ladder exercises, wand exercises, capsular stretching, and shoulder joint mobilization. The electrotherapeutic modalities employed include ultrasound to resolve inflammation, interferential therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain control and thermal therapy to relieve pain and improve muscles extensibility.

Manual therapy techniques of mobilization have been proved to be very effective in treating frozen shoulder. The Gong's mobilization technique which combines the concepts of distraction and Maitland, is explained as end range mobilization where an antero-posterior glide is applied in dynamic position of the shoulder joint followed by distraction and performance of the restricted movement. The technique serves to reduce pain and improve range of motion and is significant in producing immediate effects. Kaltenborn mobilization technique depends on concave rule and gives grades of traction which include loosening, tightening and stretching of the soft connective tissues.