Ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation of the glenohumeral joint combined with acupotomy release improves shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder: A multicenter retrospective study

Background: Patients with frozen shoulder (FS) typically present with shoulder pain and restricted range of motion (ROM). This multi-center retrospective study aims to evaluate the ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation of the glenohumeral joint combined with acupotomy release in improving shoulder function in FS patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients who received ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation of the glenohumeral joint combined with acupotomy release for frozen shoulder between January 2023 and February 2025. Results: A total of 258 FS patients were included, with 123 in ultrasound-guided hydrodilation of the glenohumeral joint combined with acupotomy release group (HAG) and 135 in the ultrasound-guided hydrodilation of the glenohumeral joint group(HG). The short-term(3 weeks) improvement in ROM was similar between two groups (P > 0.05), but the mid-term(6 weeks) and mid-to-long term(12 weeks) efficacy of HAG was better (P < 0.05). In terms of Constant-Murley Score(CMS), HAG showed better short-term efficacy in pain score, activities of daily living score, active range of motion, and abduction muscle strength (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in abduction muscle strength between two groups in the mid-to-long term (P > 0.05). HAG showed better improvement in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores in the short-term and mid-term(P < 0.05), but did not show enough advantages in mid-to-long term efficacy(P > 0.05). HAG showed better improvement in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores than AG in all of short-term mid-term and mid-to-long term (P < 0.05). All of the patients did not experience any serious adverse events during the treatment period. Conclusions: ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation of the glenohumeral joint combined with acupotomy release effectively improves shoulder range of motion and function in patients with FS, demonstrating superior mid-term efficacy and enhanced safety.