A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder
Background: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disabling condition marked by pain and restricted range of motion (ROM). This study compares the effectiveness of electrotherapy (ET) and ultrasound-guided intra-articular steroid injections (UG-IASI), two common non-operative treatments. Materi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Indian Orthopaedic Research Group
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/08/01/a-prospective-randomized-study-comparing-the-efficacy-of-electrotherapy-to-ultrasound-guided-intra-articular-steroid-injections-for-frozen-shoulder/ |
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| author | Saravana Kumar Vejaya Kumar Srinivasan Balasubramanian Saravanan Kasirajan |
| author_facet | Saravana Kumar Vejaya Kumar Srinivasan Balasubramanian Saravanan Kasirajan |
| author_sort | Saravana Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background:
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disabling condition marked by pain and restricted range of motion (ROM). This study compares the effectiveness of electrotherapy (ET) and ultrasound-guided intra-articular steroid injections (UG-IASI), two common non-operative treatments.
Materials and Methods:
In this prospective, randomized trial, 60 patients with unilateral Frozen shoulder were assigned to either ET (n = 30) or UG-IASI (n = 30). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year using the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) and ROM measurements. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects models and subgroup analysis for diabetes.
Results:
UG-IASI resulted in significantly greater SPADI and ROM improvements than ET at 1, 3, and 6 months (P < 0.05). By 1 year, the difference was no longer significant. UG-IASI showed notable gains in abduction and flexion. Diabetic patients experienced reduced improvements across both groups.
Conclusion:
UG-IASI provides superior early and mid-term outcomes in pain relief and shoulder function compared to ET. While long-term differences narrow, early intervention with UG-IASI supports faster recovery. A tailored approach, considering comorbidities and patient needs, is recommended for optimal care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5df2f84e45c942cbbacda8d818c73cd2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2250-0685 2321-3817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Indian Orthopaedic Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5df2f84e45c942cbbacda8d818c73cd22025-08-20T03:36:58ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852321-38172025-08-0115833233910.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i08.5986A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen ShoulderSaravana KumarVejaya KumarSrinivasan BalasubramanianSaravanan KasirajanBackground: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a disabling condition marked by pain and restricted range of motion (ROM). This study compares the effectiveness of electrotherapy (ET) and ultrasound-guided intra-articular steroid injections (UG-IASI), two common non-operative treatments. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized trial, 60 patients with unilateral Frozen shoulder were assigned to either ET (n = 30) or UG-IASI (n = 30). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year using the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) and ROM measurements. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects models and subgroup analysis for diabetes. Results: UG-IASI resulted in significantly greater SPADI and ROM improvements than ET at 1, 3, and 6 months (P < 0.05). By 1 year, the difference was no longer significant. UG-IASI showed notable gains in abduction and flexion. Diabetic patients experienced reduced improvements across both groups. Conclusion: UG-IASI provides superior early and mid-term outcomes in pain relief and shoulder function compared to ET. While long-term differences narrow, early intervention with UG-IASI supports faster recovery. A tailored approach, considering comorbidities and patient needs, is recommended for optimal care.https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/08/01/a-prospective-randomized-study-comparing-the-efficacy-of-electrotherapy-to-ultrasound-guided-intra-articular-steroid-injections-for-frozen-shoulder/frozen shoulderelectrotherapysteroid injectionadhesive capsulitisshoulder pain and disability indexrange of motion |
| spellingShingle | Saravana Kumar Vejaya Kumar Srinivasan Balasubramanian Saravanan Kasirajan A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports frozen shoulder electrotherapy steroid injection adhesive capsulitis shoulder pain and disability index range of motion |
| title | A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder |
| title_full | A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder |
| title_fullStr | A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder |
| title_short | A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Efficacy of Electrotherapy to Ultrasound - Guided Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Frozen Shoulder |
| title_sort | prospective randomized study comparing the efficacy of electrotherapy to ultrasound guided intra articular steroid injections for frozen shoulder |
| topic | frozen shoulder electrotherapy steroid injection adhesive capsulitis shoulder pain and disability index range of motion |
| url | https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/08/01/a-prospective-randomized-study-comparing-the-efficacy-of-electrotherapy-to-ultrasound-guided-intra-articular-steroid-injections-for-frozen-shoulder/ |
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