Comparison of Coracohumeral Ligament Thickness between Asymptomatic Shoulders and Adhesive Capsulitis in Korean

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference of coracohumeral ligament (CHL) thickness between asymptomatic shoulders and adhesive capsulitis. METHOD: Ultrasound examination was performed in 44 consecutive shoulders of 24 individuals (12 males and 12 females). Nine were diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis by clinical examination. We measured the maximum thickness of CHL. For CHL assessment, participants were scanned in sitting position with shoulder in maximal external rotation, elbow in 90 degrees flexion, forearm in neutral position, and hand in fist. The transducer was positioned between coracoid process and greater tuberosity of humerus. We used t test to compare the CHL thickness between asymptomatic and adhesive capsulitis and bivariate correlation analysis to assess a correlation between age and CHL thickness. RESULTS: There was a significant positive linear relationship between age and CHL thickness (p<0.01, gamma=0.424). In female, there was a positive linear relationship between age and CHL thickness (p<0.01, gamma=0.610). However, in male, there was no significant correlation (gamma=0.224). The mean value of CHL thickness was 1.53 mm in 9 adhesive capsulitis and 0.92 mm in 35 asymptomatic ones. CHL thickness was significantly greater in adhesive capsulitis than in asymptomatic ones (p < 001). CONCLUSION: The thickened CHL is a good suggestive diagnostic value of adhesive capsulitis.