Ultrasound-guided coracohumeral ligament release

Long-term follow-up of patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) reveals that approximately half of them suffer from a limited range of shoulder motion, particularly external and/or internal rotation. We report the surgical technique and short-term clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided release of the thickened coracohumeral (CH) ligament in 8 patients (9 shoulders) with AC. Passive external rotation with the arm by the side significantly increased from an average of 18° preoperatively to 47° immediately after CH ligament release. VAS and ASES scores were improved at 3months follow-up in all 9 shoulders, and maintained at 6months follow-up in 6 shoulders. No procedure-related adverse events developed over the 6-month follow-up period. Ultrasound-guided release for thickened CH ligament is a reliable and effective minimally invasive surgery for persistent limited external rotation due to AC of the shoulder.