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Three injection methods yielded similar clinical improvements for frozen shoulder at 6 months
At 6-month follow-up, intra-articular injection, subacromial injection and hydrodilatation had similar clinical improvements in the treatment of primary frozen shoulder, with hydrodilatation showing more rapid improvement, according to results.
Researchers randomly assigned 86 patients with primary frozen shoulder to undergo either intra-articular injection, subacromial injection or hydrodilatation. Researchers completed evaluations of all patients using the VAS for pain, Simple Shoulder Test, Constant score and passive range of shoulder motion before treatment and at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment.
Seok Won Chung
Although the VAS score, Simple Shoulder Test, Constant score and range of motion measures had no intergroup differences at initial presentation, results showed significant improvements in each group from baseline to 6 months of follow-up. Researchers noted all patients were satisfied at 6 months and no patient required additional treatment.
Compared with the intra-articular injection group, researchers found patients in the hydrodilatation group had significant improvements in the VAS score for pain after 1 month of follow-up. The hydrodilatation group experienced a significant improvement in the Simple Shoulder Test at 1 month and 3 months compared with the intra-articular injection and subacromial injection groups, according to results, as well as showed a significant improvement in the Constant score at 1 month and 3 months vs. the subacromial injection group. Results showed greater improvement in forward flexion and external rotation at 1 month in the hydrodilatation group compared with the other two groups.
However, researchers noted no statistically significant differences between groups at 3-month and 6-month follow-up for the VAS score for pain and for any range of motion measure, and at 6 months for the Simple Shoulder Test and Constant score. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.