Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Shoulder Girdle Muscles in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis

Introduction: Adhesive capsulitis is a common musculoskeletal condition. Because of altered postural mechanisms and the use of accessory muscles during shoulder movements in these patients, trigger points often develop in the muscles around the shoulder joint. which may further contribute for functional impairments. Aim: To determine the prevalence of the number of myofascial trigger points and its presence in shoulder girdle muscles in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: 50 patients having adhesive capsulitis were included in the study and upper trapezius, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle were assessed for presence of active and latent MTrPs using palpation method by therapist having clinical experience in identifying MTrPs. Results: Data was collected and Mean, median, standard deviation, and frequency distribution were calculated for descriptive purposes. Results of this study revealed that the myofascial trigger points were most prevalent in upper trapezius (88 %), middle deltoid (82 %), supraspinatus (76 %) which was followed by anterior deltoid (64 %), infraspinatus (52 %) and pectoralis major muscle (50 %) among patients with adhesive capsulitis. And there were maximum of 2 MTrPs in each muscle in most of the patients. Conclusion: MTrPs are very prevalent in shoulder muscles of patients with adhesive capsulitis with upper trapezius, middle deltoid, supraspinatus, anterior deltoid, infraspinatus, pectoralis major muscles being most affected.