Anterior vs Posterior vs Combined Intra-Articular Injections for Adhesive Capsulitis

NCT07364227 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ADC2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy of three different intra-articular injection approaches (anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior) in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and treated with a standardized injection solution consisting of corticosteroid, lidocaine, and saline. Clinical outcomes will be evaluated using pain scores, functional scales, and imaging parameters.

Conditions

Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder; Intra Articular Injection

Keywords

Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder; Intra-articular Injection; Frozen Shoulder; Ultrasound; Shoulder Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM)

  Change in active and passive shoulder joint range of motion (flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation) measured with a goniometer.

  Baseline, immediately post-injection, week 3, week 6, week 12

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in Pain Intensity (NRS)

  Baseline, immediately post-injection, week 3, week 6, week 12

• Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)

  Baseline, immediately post-injection, week 3, week 6, week 12

• Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

  Baseline, week 3, week 6, week 12

• Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH)

  Baseline, week 3, week 6, week 12

• American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score

  Baseline, week 3, week 6, week 12

Study Arms (3)

Arm A: Posterior Injection

EXPERIMENTAL

Single intra-articular injection with corticosteroid + lidocaine + saline via the posterior glenohumeral approach.

Drug: Intervention Name: Posterior Intra-articular Injection

Arm B - Anterior Injection

EXPERIMENTAL

Same injection solution administered via the anterior (rotator interval) approach.

Drug: Anterior Intra-articular Injection

Arm C - Combined Anterior + Posterior Injection

EXPERIMENTAL

Same injection solution administered using both anterior and posterior approaches.

Drug: Combined Anterior + Posterior Intra-articular Injection

Interventions

Combined Anterior + Posterior Intra-articular Injection DRUG

A single intra-articular injection consisting of 1 cc corticosteroid, 4 cc 2% lidocaine, and 5 cc saline (total 10 cc) administered using both anterior and posterior approaches during the same procedure.

Also known as: combined joint injection

Arm C - Combined Anterior + Posterior Injection

Intervention Name: Posterior Intra-articular Injection DRUG

A single intra-articular injection consisting of 1 cc corticosteroid, 4 cc 2% lidocaine, and 5 cc saline (total 10 cc) administered via the posterior glenohumeral approach.

Also known as: Posterior Intra-articular Injection

Arm A: Posterior Injection

Anterior Intra-articular Injection DRUG

A single intra-articular injection consisting of 1 cc corticosteroid, 4 cc 2% lidocaine, and 5 cc saline (total 10 cc) administered via the anterior (rotator interval) approach.

Also known as: Anterior hydrodilatation

Arm B - Anterior Injection

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aslinur Keles Ercisli, MD, PhD: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bursitis; Shoulder Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Arthralgia; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Aslinur keles, MD., PhD

  Health Sciences University Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Aslinur K Keles, MD., PhD

CONTACT

+905395010707; aslinur.ercisli@gmail.com

esra K giray, Assoc Prof

CONTACT

+90 555 813 43 94; girayesra@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Model Details: This is a single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial with three intervention arms. Thirty patients with adhesive capsulitis will be randomly assigned in equal numbers (1:1:1) to receive an intra-articular corticosteroid injection via the posterior approach, the anterior approach, or a combined anterior-posterior approach. Each participant will receive only one type of injection, and outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-injection, and at weeks 3, 6, and 12.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 15, 2026
• First Posted: January 23, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share