Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
05:52
Author Spotlight: Treating Frozen Shoulder with Small Needle Knife Therapy
Published on: November 17, 2023
1.6K
Short-Term Comparative Effectiveness of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection Versus Hydrostatic Distention in
Muhammad Anas Ghazi1, Slah Ud Din2, Zunair Aqeel3
1Trauma and Orthopaedics, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, GBR.
Cureus
|July 25, 2025
Summary
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections offer superior short-term pain relief and functional improvement for frozen shoulder compared to hydrostatic distention. This treatment also leads to higher patient satisfaction in managing adhesive capsulitis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Idiopathic frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive shoulder movement restriction.
- Common treatments include intra-articular corticosteroid injections and hydrostatic distention when conservative therapy fails.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short-term effectiveness of intra-articular corticosteroid injection versus hydrostatic distention.
- To evaluate pain relief and functional improvement in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, comparative interventional study with 108 patients aged 35-70 years.
- Group A (n=54) received intra-articular corticosteroid injection; Group B (n=54) underwent hydrostatic shoulder distention.
- Assessed pain (VAS) and function (SPADI) at baseline, 4, and 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in pain and function (p < 0.001).
- Group A (corticosteroid injection) demonstrated superior outcomes at 12 weeks in VAS (p=0.027) and SPADI (p=0.006).
- Higher patient satisfaction reported in Group A (64.81%) compared to Group B (51.85%).
Conclusions:
- Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is more effective for short-term pain relief and functional improvement in idiopathic frozen shoulder.
- Corticosteroid injections also resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to hydrostatic distention.
- Further randomized studies with long-term follow-up are recommended.
