Shoulder Hydrodilatation
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a common condition characterized by the thickening and tightening of the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint.
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You might suspect it if you notice shoulder pain particularly on lying on the affected side, followed by a gradual increase in stiffness that limits your ability to reach overhead or behind your back.
This condition affects roughly 2% to 5% of the population in Singapore, most frequently occurring in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60, and is slightly more prevalent in women.
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The exact cause triggering off frozen shoulder is often unclear. However, in some cases, it can be triggered by prolonged immobilization after surgery or injury, breast cancer radiation and in patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
While the symptoms can feel frustrating, they are manageable with the right clinical expertise. Seeing the right doctor and obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the first step to recovery.Â
What Happens to the Shoulder Joint during Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder develops through a combination of inflammation and fibrosis of the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint.
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In the early phase of the disease, this condition is largely a painful disorder. This is due to inflammation of the joint capsule and the surrounding ligaments. The shoulder pain occurs in all planes of motion and it can be very painful the lie down on the affected shoulder.
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Over months, this inflamed tissue thickens and tightens. When this occurs, the joint range of motion starts to reduce, making everyday tasks like dressing, brushing teeth or combing hair difficult.Â
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After about a year or so, the shoulder then start to "thaw". This means that the pain and range of motion slowly returns to near normal. In many patients, there may be residual reduction in range of motion.
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How does Shoulder Hydrodilatation Work?
Shouder hydrodilatation is a procedure that is done either in the clinic or in a day surgery unit. Under sterile conditions, our Pain Specialist will insert a needle in the shoulder pain. He will then infiltrate a large amount of fluid in order to distend the joint. This helps to break up the adhesions that result in a reduced shoulder joint range of motion.
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After injecting the fluid, an anti-inflammatory medication is then injected into the joint. This helps to reduce the inflammation in the joint and its surrounding tissues, hence reducing the amount of fibrosis.
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This procedure works quickly. Many patients report an immediate reduction in pain following the procedure. The peak effect is often seen about a month after the injection. Patients are usually highly satisfied and report not only significant pain relief, but also an improved shoulder range of motion.Â
Cost of Shoulder Hydrodilatation in Singapore
The procedure fees for Shoulder Hydrodilatation is based on the Ministry of Health's Fee Benchmark for Medical Procedures. It is covered by both Integrated Shield Plains as well as by many corporate insurances. For patients who are uninsured, you can also elect to use your medisave. This will cover most of the bill for the procedure. For more information, contact our clinic.Â
Why Choose Dr Christopher Liu?
Dr Christopher Liu is a Musculoskeletal Pain Specialist and Medical Director of Alleviate Pain Clinic. He has been offering Shoulder Hydrodilatation for more than a decade and has published on this topic. Prior to private practice, Dr Christopher Liu founded a Musculosketal Injection Clinic at Singapore General Hospital. If you are interested in our same-day Shoulder Hydrodilatation Program, contact us to make an appointment today.Â
Or contact us directly at +65 86555722 to discuss if these treatments are suitable for your condition.