Musculoskeletal ultrasound of the shoulder in patients with adhesive capsulitis

Moleesaide,Adipa; Saengsuwan,Jittima; Sirasaporn,Patpiya

doi:10.3892/br.2024.1878

Musculoskeletal ultrasound of the shoulder in patients with adhesive capsulitis

Authors:
- Adipa Moleesaide
- Jittima Saengsuwan
- Patpiya Sirasaporn
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Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Published online on: October 11, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1878
Article Number: 190
Copyright: © Moleesaide et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Adhesive capsulitis is a common pathological condition of the shoulder that affects the general population. The aim of the present study was to explore shoulder ultrasonographic findings in patients with adhesive capsulitis. A cross‑sectional descriptive study was conducted on 96 patients with adhesive capsulitis. Abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings were found in all participants. The top three abnormal ultrasonographic imaging features were biceps tendon effusion (71.8%), positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement (56.2%) and subdeltoid‑subacromial bursitis (47.9%). By assessing the relationship between limited functional shoulder range of motion (ROM) and abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings, limited passive ROM (PROM) with shoulder flexion of ≤120 degrees was found to be significantly associated with positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. Similarly, limited PROM in shoulder abduction of ≤130 degrees was found to be significantly associated with subdeltoid and subacromial bursitis, as well as positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. In addition, limited PROM with shoulder internal rotation of ≤60 degrees was significantly associated with positive dynamic supraspinatus impingement. Varying abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings were obtained in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Therefore, it should be cautioned that relying solely on physical examination may not accurately indicate true shoulder pathology and it is suggested that the final diagnosis should be based on a combination of the patients' clinical and overall ultrasonographic findings.

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