Shoulder joint capsule distension (hydroplasty)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of capsular distension in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint. Design: To achieve the aim of the current study, prospective study was adopted. Method: 18 patients (13 women, 5 men; mean age, 59.6y; range, (47-97y) with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder joint were recruited in the study. All patients had continuous pain and significant range of motion (ROM) limitations of the shoulder joint despite giving NSAID, local corticosteroids injection & physical therapy (PT).After hydrodilatation, immediate Change in ROM (can raise hand over the head ,can move the arm behind the back), immediate function benefit and immediate effect on pain, after 1 to 6 weeks were obtained. Results: In the 21 shoulders, good benefit was seen in 14 shoulders & no benefit was seen in 7 shoulders . However, later, after 1-6 wks , in 7 shoulders,4 showed increased pain & 3 showed no effect on pain. Conclusions: The treatment modality should be individualized on the basis of the stage of the adhesive capsulitis, and the distension procedure should be reserved for patients in stage II who do not progress despite participating in a PT program.