Capsule preserving Ultrasound guided hydrodilatation bests capsule rupture technique for shoulder adhesive capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common disorder presenting with shoulder pain which gradually progresses to global limitation of both active and passive range of motion (ROM). The rate of complete symptoms’ resolution following conservative treatment has been reported to be as low as 50%. Among all treatment strategies, GHJ hydrodilatation has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and restoring ROM with satisfying short- and long-term outcome.

Madalena Pimenta et al conducted a study to compare the clinical efficacy of capsule-rupturing versus capsule-preserving ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation in patients with shoulder adhesive capsulitis (AC).

Within a 2-year period, 149 consecutive patients with AC were prospectively enrolled and allocated into (i) group-CR, including 39 patients receiving hydrodilatation of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) with capsular rupture and (ii) group-CP, including 110 patients treated with GHJ hydrodilatation with capsular preservation. Demographics, affected shoulder, and AC grade were recorded. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) were used for clinical assessment at baseline/1/3/6 months. Comparisons were performed with Mann-Whitney U test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of outcome. P value < 0.05 defined significance.