Distension arthrography of the shoulder joint.

Pain and stiffness resulting from degenerative disease of the rotator cuff of the glenohumeral joint is not always self-limiting. In a few patients, the symptoms persist despite medication and physiotherapy. Distension arthrography, a method of hydrostatic manipulation, has been used in six such patients; five recovered full range of abduction and rotation and the sixth was improved. It is concluded that distension arthrography should be part of the treatment of intractable pain stiffness of the shoulder joint.