Targeted ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation via the rotator interval for adhesive capsulitis

To describe and evaluate ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation via the rotator interval for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis.

Patients referred to our department with adhesive capsulitis were consented for hydrodilatation. Inclusion criteria included a failure to respond to conservative treatment and the absence of full thickness rotator cuff tear. Twenty-one milliliters of a mixture of local anesthetic and steroid was injected into the rotator interval using a 21-gauge needle. Patients were followed up at 2 weeks and 4 months, with documented pain scores from 0 to 10 on a visual analogue scale and the Oxford Shoulder Questionnaire.

Twenty-two patients were suitable for inclusion in the study. Nineteen were female (86 %) and three were male. The mean age was 55 years (range, 32-71 years). The duration of symptoms ranged from 4 weeks to 20 months. At 4 months, 19/22 (86 %) of patients described either complete (7/22) or good (12/22) improvement in their symptoms. The mean pain score was 8.4 prior to the procedure, 3.1 at 48 h and 1.9 at 4 months, and 20/22 (91 %) had a lower pain score after 4 months. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the Oxford shoulder score, from a mean of 13.6 pre-procedure to 36.5 at 4 months.

The rotator interval and anterior joint capsule are strongly implicated in the symptomatology of adhesive capsulitis. The novel use of targeted ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation via the rotator interval gives good results in reducing shoulder pain and symptoms in adhesive capsulitis.