What is adhesive capsulitis and what is arthrographic distension?
Another name for adhesive capsulitis is “frozen shoulder” or “painful stiff shoulder”. In fact, it is so painful and stiff, it becomes difficult to move your shoulder in a normal way. Sometimes the loss of movement to your shoulder makes it feel like it is completely frozen. It is thought to be caused by scar-like tissue (adhesions) forming in the shoulder joint. Arthrographic distension is a procedure where fluid is injected into the shoulder joint to break up the adhesions that might be restricting the shoulder’s movement and causing disability. Depending on the treatment, the fluid might contain a saline solution or steroids. Best estimate of what happens to people with adhesive capsulitis who have arthrographic distension: Pain: at three weeks after treatment, people’s pain improved by 2 points on a scale of 0-10. This could be as low as 1.1 or as high as 3.5 points on a scale of 1-10. Disability: One study found that at three weeks after treatment, people’s disability was improved
