Randomized Controlled Trial for Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection for Adhesive Capsulitis: Ultrasonography-Guided Versus Blind Technique

Lee H-J, Lim K-B, Kim D-Y, Lee K-T. Randomized controlled trial for efficacy of intra-articular injection for adhesive capsulitis: ultrasonography-guided versus blind technique. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2009;90:1997-2002. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of ultrasonography (US)-guided intra-articular injections compared with a blind (unguided) technique for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Participants: Patients (N=43) diagnosed as having adhesive capsulitis after clinical examinations and radiologic and ultrasonographic study. Intervention: Under either US-guided or a blind technique, patients received a 20-mg intra-articular injection of triamcinolone mixed with 1.5mL 2% lidocaine and 4mL normal saline in the first week followed by 5 weekly injections of sodium hyaluronate. Main Outcome Measures: A visual analog scale for pain intensity, range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder (flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation), and general shoulder function during daily activities at preinjection as a baseline and then every week after injection for 6 weeks for each patient. Results: Twenty patients out of 22 in the blind injection group and 20 out of 21 in the US-guided group finished the entire 6-week study period. The improvement in pain intensity. ROM, and shoulder function score was significantly greater in the US-guided injection group than in the blind injection group by the second week postinjection (P<.05). However, there were no further significant differences in the improvement between the 2 groups beyond the third week. Conclusions: US-guided intra-articular injections may offer advantages over a blind technique for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis and may deliver clinical benefits during the first few weeks of treatment. This finding suggests that the improved targeting to the intra-articular space by using US can result in better treatment of adhesive capsulitis.