Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided fascia hydrorelease on the coracohumeral ligament in patients with global limitation of the shoulder range of motion: a pilot study

We conducted a prospective single-arm interventional study of the treatment efficacy of ultrasound-guided fascia hydrorelease (US-FHR) on the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) of patients with global limitation of shoulder range of motion (ROM) without local inflammation. The primary outcome was the change in passive ROM (pROM) of external rotation (ER) after first US-FHR. Secondary outcomes included the change in pROM of other directions from baseline, the pain visual analogue scale (pVAS) at the timepoints after each procedure (first, second US-FHR and rehabilitation) as well as the change in the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) from the first to the second visit. Eleven patients underwent US-FHR. The pROM of ER after the 1st US-FHR changed by a median of 7.1° (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant improvement in the pROM of flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation from baseline to each timepoints. The pVAS at rest showed no significant improvement, although the pVAS at maximal ER showed a trend towards improvement. The SPADI score decreased by a median of 13.4 (p < 0.01). No adverse events were observed. US-FHR on the CHL with or without rehabilitation might be an effective, less invasive treatment for patients with global limitation of shoulder ROM.