Clin Pain.  2019 Dec;18(2):76-81. 10.35827/cp.2019.18.2.76.

Changes in Range of Motion after Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection in Frozen Shoulder: A Retrospective 3-Month Follow-Up Study

• Cho HJ
• Yoon SH
• Kim M
• Kim DH

• KMID: 2470351
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35827/cp.2019.18.2.76

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To examine (1) the degree of reduction of passive range of motion (PROM) on the affected side compared to that on the unaffected side and (2) the degree of increase in PROM following intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI) in patients with frozen shoulder. METHOD: The medical records of 120 patients with frozen shoulder were retrospectively reviewed. PROM of the unaffected and affected shoulder (flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation) was compared, and changes in PROM of the affected shoulder after a single IACI (triamcinolone 20 mg) were evaluated after 12 weeks.
RESULTS
At the time of diagnosis, PROM of the affected shoulder was most limited in external rotation, followed by internal rotation, abduction, extension, and flexion, compared to that of the unaffected shoulder. Compared to before IACI, PROM of external rotation demonstrated the greatest increase compared to all the other movements after IACI.
CONCLUSION
Limitation in PROM of the frozen shoulder at the time of diagnosis was greatest for external rotation. Moreover, external rotation experienced the greatest improvement after IACI. Our findings should help to further clarify the clinical characteristics of frozen shoulder, aid in its diagnosis, and allow the prediction of the effects of IACI.

Keyword

Frozen shoulder; Intra-articular injection; Corticosteroids; Passive range of motion

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Bursitis*
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Injections, Intra-Articular
Medical Records
Methods
Range of Motion, Articular*
Retrospective Studies*
Shoulder
Adrenal Cortex Hormones