Effects of Hydrodilatation With Corticosteroid Injection and Biomechanical Properties in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis After Breast Cancer Surgery

Objective To compare the biomechanical properties of the glenohumeral joint capsule between adhesive capsulitis (AC) after breast cancer surgery and idiopathic AC and demonstrate the effects of hydrodilatation (HD) with corticosteroid injection for AC after breast cancer surgery. Methods Twenty-three prospective patients with AC after breast cancer surgery (BC group) and 44 retrospective patients with idiopathic AC without breast cancer (CON group) underwent HD with corticosteroid injection and home exercise training. We compared their biomechanical characteristics (capsular capacity, maximal pressure, and capsular stiffness). In the BC group, the passive range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder and a questionnaire (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index [SPADI]) were evaluated at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Results The BC group showed higher biomechanical characteristics (maximal pressure and capsular stiffness ) than did the CON group. The mean maximal pressure and capsular stiffness were 519.67 +/- 120.90 mmHg and 19.69 +/- 10.58 mmHg/mL in the BC group and 424.78 +/- 104.42 mmHg and 11.55 +/- 7.77 mmHg/mL in the CON group (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). And, the BC group showed significant improvements in all ROMs (abduction, flexion, and external rotation) and the SPADI pain and disability sub-scores following the treatment. Conclusion The glenohumeral joint capsular stiffness was greater in the patients with AC after breast cancer surgery than in those with idiopathic AC. HD with corticosteroid injection was effective in treating AC after breast cancer surgery.