THE VALUE OF SHOULDER DISTENSION ARTHROGRAPHY WITH INTRAARTICULAR INJECTION OF STEROID AND LOCAL-ANESTHETIC - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

A series of 51 patients, seen in Leicester, with ''frozen shoulder'', and referred for arthrographic examination, were assessed both before and after distension arthrography, using air and a low-osmolar contras t media combined with a steroid and local anaesthetic injection. 38 at tended for further assessment at up to 6 months later. 16 patients wer e found to have a rotator cuff tear. There was no significant change i n the mean range of active movement in the patients with rotator cuff tears, but symptomatic improvement ensued in 44% of cases. In those fo und to have no rotator cuff tear, and external rotation of less than 3 5 degrees, a significant improvement in range of movement was seen. Wh ile those with less limitation of external rotation showed no change i n their range of movement, they did experience symptomatic improvement in 73% of cases. We conclude that shoulder distension arthrography, w ith steroid and local anaesthetic injection, may be of symptomatic ben efit in patients with frozen shoulder and without a rotator cuff tear, while only those with external rotation of less than 35 degrees are l ikely to improve their range of motion.