Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of adhesive capsulitis and the effect of intra-articular steroid injection in spinal cord injured patients.

Method: Fifty spinal cord injured patients participated in this study. The risk factors of adhesive capsulitis were compared between fourteen patients with adhesive capsulitis and thirty-six patients without one. Methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg mixed with 0.5% lidocaine 2 ml was given into glenohumeral joint space in adhesive capsulitis group and their pain and range of motion (ROM) were analyzed.

Results: 1) The incidence of adhesive capsulitis was higher in patients with higher injury level, older age and delayed start of rehabilitation therapy.

2) 10 cm visual analogue scale scores were significantly decreased after intra-articular steroid injection (p＜0.01).

3) The shoulder ROM was increased after intra-articular steroid injection.

The shoulder ROM at pre-injection was 126^o in flexion, 113^o in abduction, 64^o in external rotation and 51^o in internal rotation. The shoulder ROM at 4 weeks after injection was 138^o in flexion, 131^o in abduction, 74^o in external rotation and 77^o in internal rotation.

Conclusion: There was a trend that the incidence of adhesive capsulitis was higher in patients with higher injury level, older age and delayed start of rehabilitation therapy. Further, it was suggested that intra-articular steroid injection was effective for reducing pain and improving ROM.

Keywords :Adhesive capsulitis, Spinal cord injury, Intra-articular steroid injection