To evaluate the value of ultrasound in the treatment and evaluation of frozen shoulder.

Seventy frozen shoulders of 70 patients (case group) and 58 normal shoulders of 29 healthy volunteers (control group) were included in the study. The interior capsule thickness was compared between the two groups. Sixty-eight shoulders of the case group underwent ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with hydraulic dilatation. Interior capsule thickness, Visual Analogy Scale (VAS) score, and Constant-Murley score were assessed before each treatment and 2 weeks after the second treatment.

The interior capsule was significantly thicker in the case group than in the control group [(3.88±1.34) mm vs (1.68±0.59) mm, t=12.339, P<0.001]. The interior capsule thickness had a diagnostic sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 95%, and area under the curve of 0.953. After the first treatment, VAS score and active range of motion (AROM) were significantly improved compared with pretreatment values, but the interior capsule thickness was not significantly changed (P>0.05). After the second treatment, the interior capsule thickness was significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment values and the values after the first treatment (t=2.606 and 2.148, respectively, P<0.05). VAS score and AROM after the first and second treatment were significantly improved (t=2.711 and 2.867, respectively, P<0.05) compared with pre-treatment values. The interior capsule thickness after the second treatment was significantly decreased compared with the first treatment (t=3175, 3.466, P<0.05), and the pain was significantly improved (t=2.591, P<0.05), but AROM was not significantly improved (P>0.05).

Ultrasound is a useful tool of diagnosis and evaluation of frozen shoulder. It is safe, simple, and effective to use ultrasound-guided genohumeral joint injection combined with hydraulic dilatation for the treatment of frozen shoulder.