Clin Pain.  2021 Dec;20(2):99-104. 10.35827/cp.2021.20.2.99.

Safety and Effectiveness of Intra-articular Injection on the Ipsilateral Adhesive Capsulitis after Breast Cancer Surgery

• Cho MK
• Kim DM
• Kim YM
• Yang TW
• Yoon JA
• Lee BJ

• KMID: 2524816
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35827/cp.2021.20.2.99

Abstract

Objective
To confirm the safety of Intra-articular (IA) injection on the ipsilateral adhesive capsulitis (AC) after breast cancer surgery.
Methods
Between January 2017 and May 2020, we retrospectively studied 29 patients after breast cancer surgery who underwent IA injection in the glenohumeral joint for AC in aseptic procedure.
Results
There were no side effects or complications such as lymphedema or cellulitis in the patients. There was a significant improvement in pain score and range of motion (ROM) at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months visits compared to the baseline (p<0.05). The presence or absence of axillary lymph node dissection and radiation therapy had no significant difference in improvement of ROM. But, in rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) group, there was a significant difference in improvement of shoulder IR in patients without RCS.
Conclusion
IA Injection on the ipsilateral AC after breast cancer surgery was safe and even effective to improve pain and shoulder ROM. Ipsilateral IA injection can be a good treatment for breast cancer surgery patients suffering from AC.

Keyword

Adhesive capsulitis; Breast cancer; Frozen shoulder; Intraarticular injection; Lymphedema