The study found that both treatments are effective interventions for frozen shoulder after physical therapy failed. Both treatments provided a rapid improvement in pain and function within 6 weeks of the treatment. This is in contrast to the prolonged natural history of frozen shoulder.

Over 80% of patients had a significant improvement with the hydrodilation procedure and did not require further treatment. Patients that did not respond to the hydrodilation procedure still showed a significant improvement with surgery, suggesting that in cases that do not respond to hydrodilation a combined procedure can be helpful. Learn more about hydrodilation for adhesive capsulitis here.

How do I know if I have a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder can develop slowly over a period of time. Typically, patients will experience pain over the outside of the shoulder and shoulder motion will be restricted. The pain can be severe making it difficult to sleep on the shoulder difficult.

Often x-rays are normal. In chronic cases an MRI can show thickening of the joint capsule.

Will a frozen shoulder go away on its own?

Frozen shoulder was historically thought to be a self-limiting condition that would resolve on its own without intervention.

However, studies have found that one in ten patients will not respond to physical therapy after an average of 22 months (Ju Griggs et al. 2000). Other studies show that 11% of patients will still have symptoms 7 years after being diagnosed (Shaffer et al. 1992).

Can you fix a frozen shoulder without surgery?

Treatment for frozen shoulder is typically conservative and involves physical therapy and sometimes cortisone injections. In cases that do not respond, surgery is often discussed. This study by Gallacher et al. suggests that hydrodilation can be an effective treatment. In this study, over 80% of patient with chronic adhesive capsulitis responded to a hydrodilation procedure.

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References:

1. Gallacher S, Beazley JC, Evans J, Anaspure R, Silver D, Redfern A, Thomas W, Kitson J, Smith C. A randomized controlled trial of arthroscopic capsular release versus hydrodilatation in the treatment ofprimary frozen shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018 Aug;27(8):1401-1406.
2. Ju Griggs SM, Ahn A, Green A. Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis. A prospective functional outcome study of nonoperative treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2000;82-A:1398-407.
3. Shaffer B, Tibone JE, Kerlan RK. Frozen shoulder. A long-term follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1992;74:738-46. 13.