Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder may cause pain or stiffness, and limit the movements of the shoulder, leading patients to feel as if their shoulder is "frozen", or locked, in place. ​​If frozen shoulder is keeping you from swimming, exercising, playing golf or tennis, or staying active in general, surgery isn't always the first option. Our Cary, NC, orthopedic clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating frozen shoulder using nonsurgical approaches.

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What is Ultrasound Guided Hydrodilatation? 

Hydrodilatation (also called capsular distension or hydrodilation) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat adhesive capsulitis (“frozen shoulder”) by injecting a mixture of saline, local anesthetic, and often corticosteroid, directly into the glenohumeral joint under ultrasound guidance. At our clinic in Cary, NC, we also use blood plasma for patients who do not want to use steroids.

 

Options for hydrodilalation:

1.  Saline + Lidocaine + Steroid 

2. Blood plasma from the patient 

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The primary goal of hydrodilatation is to expand the tight shoulder joint capsule, relieve pain, and rapidly restore a normal range of motion.

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Breakdown of Hydrodilatation Procedure

• Positioning: You sit or lie down while the shoulder is exposed.

• Numbing: The skin and tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic.

• Needle placement: Using ultrasound or X-ray guidance, a needle is placed into the shoulder joint.

• Injection: A mixture of sterile fluid, anesthetic, and sometimes corticosteroid is injected.

• Capsule stretching: The fluid expands the tight joint capsule, improving mobility.

• Completion: The needle is removed and a small dressing is applied.

• Aftercare: Gentle exercises or physical therapy are started to maintain the improved range of motion.

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*Insurance does not cover ultrasound guided hydrodilatation.