Comparison of Blind Technique and Ultrasonography Guided Technique of Intraarticular Injection of the Shoulder

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) guided intraarticular injection technique comparing to blind technique of the shoulder joint. METHOD: Thirty patients with hemiplegia clinically diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint were included. Each patient was treated with serial intraarticular injections with both blind and US guided technique, and then was confirmed by X-ray. We analyzed possible factor including range of motion of the shoulder joint, degree of shoulder subluxation, and clinical stage by Cyriax contributing to failure of intraarticular injection with blind technique. RESULTS: The accuracy of intraarticular injection using blind technique were 46.7% and 33.3% in each physician without significant interpersonal difference. However, US guided intraarticular injection showed the accuracy of 93.3%, significantly higher than blind technique (p<0.05). We could not find significant differences in clinical stage by Cyriax, degree of subluxation between success and failure group by blind technique. However, the range of external and internal rotation of the shoulder joint was more limited in failure group by blind technique (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography guided injection into the shoulder joint improved the accuracy of injection without exposure to radiation and could be used as one of the promising treatment for patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.