Hydrodilatation vs Corticosteroid Injection for Frozen Shoulder .
A Comparative Study Between Hydrodilatation and Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection in Patients with Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.
J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother . 2025 Jun;39(2):286-296.Forty-eight patients with frozen shoulder were randomized to receive hydrodilatation (20 mL saline + 3 mL 2% lidocaine; n=24) or intra-articular corticosteroid injection (methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg + lidocaine + saline; n=24). The primary outcome was VAS pain. Secondary outcomes included SPADI and passive ROM (flexion, abduction, internal/external rotation). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Overall, the results revealed significant within-group improvements across all outcomes, but no between-group differences over time or at 8 weeks; only week-2 SPADI and passive flexion favored one arm transiently. These findings suggest hydrodilatation without steroid is short-term non-inferior to steroid injection for frozen shoulder.
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