The Shoulder

A series of intra-articular injections with triamcinolone are given, no matter the stage of the arthritis.

The sequence of the injections is very important.

The idea is to keep the capsule continously under anti-inflammatory influence till the inflammation has almost fully disappeared.
Therefore the next injection must be given just before the effect of the previous one has worn off.

Excellent results in about 95 % of the cases; it is rare for a monarticular steroid sensitive arthritis not to respond to injection therapy.

Exceptionally, capsular distraction is used for those patients who do not want injections or when steroids are contraindicated.

Capsular stretching is absolutely contra-indicated: The lesion does not respond at any stage and may be made worse by an increase in inflammation.