The Additional Effect of Tear after Passive Exercise during Distension Arthrography in Patients with Frozen Shoulder

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of tear after passive ROM exercise during distension arthrography in patients with frozen shoulder. METHOD: Fifteen patients (male 7, female 8, mean 57.5 years old) who had complained of shoulder pain with decreased ROM at least 3 months prior were enrolled. Distension arthrogrphy of 35 ml of fluid which contained 10 ml of 1% lidocaine, 1 ml of depomedrol (40 mg), 19 ml of normal saline, and 5 ml of radiocontrast material was injected by a single physician. Then if there was no capsular tear, passive ROM exercise was performed for two minutes. RESULTS: In seven of the thirteen patients, the occurrence of capsular tear was observed after only distension arthrography. In five of the six patients without capsular rupture, the occurrence of capsular tear was observed by passive ROM exercise after distension arthrography. Two patients were interrupted because of severe pain. Clinical outcomes of occurrence of capsular tear by conventional distension arthrography and by passive ROM exercise after distension arthrography were similar. CONCLUSION: Passive ROM exercise after distension arthrography could serve as an effective method of capsular tear in patients with frozen shoulder.