Abstract
Arthrography is an indispensable means of examination, and at the same time, it can be effective clinically in the treatment of the shoulder disease. This study was carried out to clarify the effects of the joint distension in the shoulder disease, focused on the obliteration of the subscapuraris bursa. Materials and methods.
A mixture of 10cc contrast medium and 10cc 0.5% of Xylocaine solution is injected into the shoulder joint anteriorly. Under fluorescence, the shoulder joint is moved in all directions while the movement of the dye is carefully observed.
There were 3,792 joints whose arthrographic findings have been recorded on a video tape since 1982. The obliteration of the subscapuraris bursa could be seen in 1706 joints and the joint distension was produced in 639 joints (by fluid pressure 34%, rotation 16%, elevation in the scapular plane 18%, forced abduction and internal rotation 32%).
Results
Pain relief was attained in 69% with tendinitis,62% with RI lesion,39% with a painful and stiff shoulder,33% with tear of the rotator cuff (mainly incomplete tear and partially complete tear with adhesion) and 36% with the other cases.
Relief of symptoms was obtained in 63% of the joints within three months, but it decreased to 32% after three months. (p=0.0002)
There was no relationship between the sex and the age.
Conclusion Joint distension was a useful healing method for the shoulder disease.
