Evaluation of the role of intra-articular Steroid injection in frozen shoulder

Abstract

Introduction: Frozen shoulder is an idiopathic and progressive disease, which is identified by pain and decreased range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and shoulder joint capsule fibrosis. It typically occurs in the fifth and sixth decades of life, thus affecting individuals of working age. Various author have quoted incidence of 2%-5% in general population. Different modalities of treatments like physical therapy, exercises, articular stretching and pulley therapy, physical therapy with medication. were used but, the combination of physical therapy and medication have shown better results. We evaluated the role of intra articular corticosteroid injection as it decreases inflammation which leads to reduction in capsular fibrosis. This allows enhancement of joint motion and reduces the functional recovery time. In this study we included 32 patients with primary diagnosis of frozen shoulder with duration of pain more than or equal to two months. All the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were mobilized under short General Anaesthesia followed by administration of intraarticular steroid (2ml, 80mg). Constant shoulder score (CSS) & Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used as study tool for scoring. All the patients were subsequently reviewed and evaluated at 2, 6 and 12 weeks on the basis of VAS and CSS score which was found to be highly significant.