Abstract
Joint pumping or joint distension treatment is reported to be effective for patients with frozen shoulder. When joint pumping is performed, steroid is usually injected in the joint cavity after the pumping. In order to clarify the effect of joint pumping itself, the following prospective study was performed.
The 18 patients with frozen shoulder (elevation <90°) were divided into two groups; 9 patients in the pumping + steroid (PS) group and the other 9 in the steroid (S) group. The patients in the PS -group underwent pumping with saline followed by the injection of 5 ml 1 % lidocaine and 2 mg dexamethasone; those in the S-group received the same injection without any pumping. The treatment was performed every two weeks and repeated 5 times.
The age and the duration of the symptoms of the PS- vs. S -group were pair-matched respectively as 58.0±2.2 years vs. 52.0±2.3 years and 4.8±0.7 months vs.5.7±1.5 months. The effect of the treatment was evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system (JOA score)after each treatment and at follow-up time (3.5±1.7 months in the PS-group,3.2±1.1 months in the S-group after the final treatment).
The total JOA score s after the final treatment and at follow-up time were 79.0±3.1,83.0±3.9points (PS-group), and 80.0±2.2,87.0±2.9 points (S-group). The scores for internal rotation in the PS-group increased after the second treatment and showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.01). However, the scores for pain, ADL and muscle strength were the same.
We conclude that joint pumping is effective on frozen shoulders for the quick recovery of internal rotation.
