Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the results of hydraulic joint capsule distension in patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis.
Patients and Methods: This was descriptive study on 63 with frozen shoulder in Private clinic at Dabgari Garden, Peshawar, Pakistan from June 2013 to May 2014. Study included patients with first episode of adhesive capsulitis for less than 6 month duration based on guidelines issued by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. Patients not meeting inclusion criteria were excluded. Each patient underwent hydraulic joint capsule distension with 40 ml of normal saline. Documentation of shoulder function was made with the use of goniometer and by obtaining simple shoulder test (STT) which is developed by University of Washington, shoulder service, department of Orthopaedics. They were assessed for improvement in pain using Visual Analogue Score (VAS).
Results: Mean age was 51.89 years+9.1. 45 (71.42%) belonged to 5th and 6th decade of life. 27 were males and 36 females. In 34 patients non-dominant shoulder was involved. 4 patients lost during follow up. Pain improved from 6.84 (SD+01.01) to 2.81 (SD+0.93) with P value <0.0001 on VAS. All phase-I patients made functional recovery with mean Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 56.33% to 85.62% (P value <0.0001). Out of 41 phase-II patients 27 made functional recovery with score improving from 34.01% to 80.23% (P-value <0.0001).
Conclusion: Hydraulic distention in early stages of adhesive capsulitis improved symptoms and range of motion making it good therapeutic option.

Key words: Adhesive capsulitis, Hydraulic joint capsule distention, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST).