Shoulder joint capsule distension (hydroplasty): a case series of patients with "frozen shoulders" treated in a primary care office.

"Frozen shoulder," most often caused by adhesive capsulitis, is frequently treated with intra-articular steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgical manipulation under anesthesia. These therapies provide limited benefits. Hydraulic distension of the shoulder joint capsule (hydroplasty) has potential to provide rapid relief of pain and immediate improvement of shoulder function for patients with adhesive capsulitis. We performed 21 hydroplasty procedures on 16 patients over a 4-year period. Ninety-four percent (17/18) of the procedures improved patient's measured mobility immediately after the procedure. Fifty-three percent (10/19) of the procedures produced immediate, short term, and sustained improvement in comfort and function. No significant complications of the procedure were detected. Our series suggests that the hydroplasty procedure should be further evalutated.