A high- or low-dose triamcinolone injection improved pain and function in adhesive capsulitis.

Patients: 53 patients 20 to 70 years of age (mean age 54 y, 53% men among 51 patients who completed the trial) who had stage 2 adhesive capsulitis, normal shoulder radiography, passive motion restriction > 30 degrees in ≥ 2 planes of movement, pain for ≥ 1 month, and average daily pain intensity score ≥ 3 out of 10 on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (10 = worst imaginable pain). Exclusion criteria included secondary adhesive capsulitis; ultrasound-confirmed full-thickness rotator cuff tear; rotator cuff lesion on both physical and ultrasound examinations; previous corticosteroid injection in the affected shoulder; use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs unless stopped for ≥ 5 days before steroid injection; or use of oral analgesic drugs, acupuncture, or such physical treatments as heat, cold, or electricity unless stopped for ≥ 1 week before steroid injection.