Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and clinical impairment in patients with adhesive capsulitis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Musculoskeletal Imaging

Background:

• Adhesive capsulitis (AC), or frozen shoulder, presents with significant pain and limited range of motion.
• Accurate assessment of clinical impairment is crucial for effective management.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed visualization of the shoulder joint structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between specific MRI findings and clinical impairment in patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis.
• To determine if MRI criteria can predict or reflect the severity of clinical symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI scans from 97 patients with adhesive capsulitis.
• Evaluation of joint capsule thickness and gadolinium enhancement in the axillary recess, and rotator interval fat obliteration.
• Correlation of MRI findings with range of motion limitations and pain intensity, considering factors like rotator cuff pathology, arm dominance, diabetes, age, and gender.

Main Results:

• Joint capsule thickening in the axillary recess showed a significant correlation with limited external rotation, gender, and arm dominance.
• Gadolinium enhancement of the axillary recess joint capsule was associated with increased pain intensity.
• Subcoracoid fat obliteration in the rotator interval did not correlate with limited range of motion or pain.

Conclusions:

• Contrast-enhanced MRI is a valuable tool for assessing clinical impairment in adhesive capsulitis.
• Specific MRI features, namely axillary recess joint capsule thickening and gadolinium enhancement, are significantly associated with limited range of motion and pain severity.