This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HD compared with intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IAI) in patients with adhesive capsulitis, with pain and function as the primary outcomes. We conducted a prospective, randomised controlled trial conducted in the Rheumatology department of a tertiary centre. Twenty patients with adhesive capsulitis were recruited and randomised equally to receive HD (n = 10), and IAI (n = 10). The primary outcome measures include Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), QuickDASH questionnaire score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and range of motion (ROM) at 6-weeks post-intervention.
Adhesive capsulits is a common shoulder condition that causes significant pain and loss of joint mobility, thus affecting the quality of life. If left untreated, the symptoms can impair the person's function and persist for a longer duration. Both hydrodilatation and standard steroid injection into the glenohumeral joint are well recognised forms of treatment, but there is no consensus on the best treatment approach for adhesive capsulitis. Hydrodilatation involves injecting a larger volume of solution (with steroid and local anaesthetic mixed), into the space within the rotator cuff interval, leading to intra-articular distension of the joint capsule. The local anaesthetic used in the procedure provides immediate pain relief, while the long-term benefit comes from the resolution of the capsular stiffness and inflammation. This process stretches the capsule, resulting in adhesion breakdown and promoting the remodeling of the shoulder capsule, hence improving shoulder range of motion (ROM), especially in those with limited mobility due to the capsular tightening. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HD compared with intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IAI) in patients with adhesive capsulitis, with pain and function as the primary outcomes. We conducted a prospective, randomised controlled trial conducted in the Rheumatology department of a tertiary centre. Twenty patients with adhesive capsulitis were recruited and randomised equally to receive HD (n = 10), and IAI (n = 10). The primary outcome measures include Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), QuickDASH questionnaire score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and range of motion (ROM) at 6-weeks post-intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
During the procedure, the patient lie supine on an examination couch, with the affected arm in the modified Crass position. All injections were done under image guidance using a Philips EPIQ ultrasound machine with an L18-12 MHz linear array transducer, performed consecutively by 2 rheumatologists or 1 pain medicine anaesthetist, all trained in MSK US. Aseptic technique was used. The transducer was placed at the short axis of the supraspinatus tendon, and the rotator cuff interval and coracohumeral ligament (CHL) were identified. Local anaesthetic (1% lignocaine) was injected subcutaneously to the skin. The therapeutic medication consisted of a mixture of 40 mg triamcinolone (10 mg/ml concentration) and 5ml 1% lignocaine, which was diluted with sterile normal saline into a total of 20mls suspension. The injection was administered using a 22-G 2-inch needle (Stimuplex A) introduced below the CHL adjacent to the long head of biceps tendon, in the in-plane view under US guidance.
Intra-articular corticosteroid injection was performed as a control group. The posterior shoulder approach was used. The patient was positioned in the lateral decubitus or semi-prone position with the affected shoulder at the uppermost position, elbow semi-flexed and the ipsilateral arm resting on a pillow for comfort and stability. The ultrasound transducer is positioned over the long axis of the myotendinous junction of the infraspinatous tendon to view the contours of the posterior glenoid labrum and posterior portion of the humeral head. The injectate was administered using a 21-G hypodermic needle. 40 mg triamcinolone (10 mg/ml concentration) mixed with 1ml of 1% lignocaine was injected into the posterior glenohumeral joint, under ultrasound-guidance. Any adverse reaction that occurred during the procedure was recorded. Following the procedure, the patient was advised to avoid overuse of the injected joint for 24 hours as part of post-injection care.
Autoimmunity and Rheumatology Centre
Singapore, Singapore
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
SPADI: self-reported questionnaire by patient on pain and disability.
Time frame: 6 weeks
QuickDASH score
self-reported questionnaire by patient on upper extremity disability
Time frame: 6 weeks
Pain score
self-reported by patient using visual analogue scale (VAS).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Active and passive range of motions (ROM):
measured by investigators blinded to the treatments.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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