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A team approach to adhesive capsulitis with ultrasound guided hydrodilatation: a retrospective study

Dakkak M, Genin J, Wichman L, Zhang C, Patel V

Pain management, 2024

150 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) causes shoulder pain and limited range of motion. While ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block, glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation, and physical therapy are effective individually, their combined use is not well-studied.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect and safety of combining ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block, glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation, and physical therapy on range of motion and pain, comparing diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort; Level of Evidence 3.

METHODS: 150 patients (30-75 years) with AC received ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block, glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation with corticosteroid injection, and subsequent physical therapy. Baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, active forward flexion, and external rotation range of motion were measured using a goniometer. At 3 months post-procedure, range of motion and pain were reevaluated.

RESULTS: Significant improvements in active forward flexion (median improvement of 25 degrees) and external rotation (median improvement of 19 degrees) were observed at 3 months (p < 0.001). No complications were reported.

CONCLUSION: Combining ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block, glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation, and physical therapy is safe, effective, and improves pain, flexion, and external rotation range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Adhesive capsulitis (AC), or frozen shoulder, causes pain…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 150 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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