Extract
Question: In patients with a painful stiff shoulder for =3
months, is arthrographic distension with normal saline solution and
corticosteroid effective for improving function, pain, and range of
motion?Design: Randomized (allocation concealed), blinded (patients,
health-care providers, and outcome assessor), placebo-controlled trial with 3,
6, and 12 weeks of follow-up.Setting: Community-based rheumatology practices in Victoria,
Australia.Patients: 46 patients who were =18 years of age (mean age 57 y,
80% women), had pain and stiffness in predominantly 1 shoulder for =3
months (range, 96 to 402 d), and had restriction of passive motion of
>30° in =2 planes of movement. Exclusion criteria included severe
pain (>7 of 10 on visual analog scale) at rest, previous arthrographic
distension, systemic inflammatory joint disease, osteoarthritis of the
shoulder, calcification about the shoulder joint, and clinical suspicion of a
complete rotator cuff tear. Follow-up was complete.