Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound-Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for
A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder.
J Orthop Case Rep . 2025 Aug;15(8):332-339.Sixty patients with unilateral frozen shoulder were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided intra-articular steroid injection (UG-IASI) (n = 30) or electrotherapy (ET) consisting of interferential therapy, short-wave diathermy, and therapeutic ultrasound (n = 30). The primary outcome of interest was SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index). Secondary outcomes included range of motion (ROM) across flexion, abduction, rotation, extension, and adduction. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Overall, the results revealed that UG-IASI produced significantly greater improvements in SPADI and ROM at 1, 3, and 6 months (all P < 0.05), with differences narrowing by 1 year. Diabetic patients in both groups showed attenuated recovery. These findings suggest that UG-IASI provides superior early and mid-term functional recovery, supporting its use as an early targeted intervention in frozen shoulder.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics