Radiology - Hydrodistension (Hydrodilation) of the Shoulder

Why do I need a hydrodistension?

Your specialist has diagnosed you with a frozen shoulder, this can be a painful condition which also limits the movement of your shoulder. Your specialist has decided upon this treatment to help resolve this issue.

How do I prepare?

There are no specific preparations for this procedure, if you are on any blood thinners such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or tinzaparin please contact the department at least 1 week before your procedure as you may need to stop taking this medication. You can take your other medications as normal; you may eat and drink as normal. When you attend, please make sure you let the doctor know of any allergies you have.

What will happen?

A hydrodistension involves injecting a steroid, local anaesthetic, and sterile saline (sterile water) into the shoulder, this then stretches the capsule. This should then hopefully open up the joint, With the aim of reducing pain and increasing range of movement. The radiologist who is specially trained will use x-rays to guide the needle into the joint. The procedure will take place in the radiology department.

When you arrive in the department The procedure will involve you lying on your back with your arm by your side. Your shoulder will be cleaned with an antiseptic and the area will be kept clean. A small needle will be introduced to the surface of the shoulder joint under x-ray guidance and a small amount of x-ray dye (iodine contrast) will be injected to ensure the needle is in a safe and correct position.

Is it safe?

This is a very safe procedure and the specialist who has referred you has decided that the benefits if the procedure outweigh the risks. The biggest risk associated with this procedure is the introduction of infection, but this is a small risk. There is also a small risk of bleeding. You may feel discomfort in the shoulder during the procedure and for a short time after, this shouldn’t last for long.

After the procedure

You will be allowed to go home straight after the procedure, but you should not drive and have made prior arrangements to get home. This procedure will be followed up by a physiotherapy appointment. There is no guarantee of success with this procedure but in most cases it is an effective treatment but it does have a high percentage of positive outcomes.

Could you be pregnant?

If there is any chance you could be pregnant, please call 0161 206 5091 if your appointment is at Salford Royal Hospital. Please call 0161 656 1178 if your appointment is at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Is x-ray guidance dangerous?

All x-ray machines use potentially harmful x-rays. Modern equipment is designed to keep the dose you receive as low as possible. If your doctor has asked for this test, they will have decided that the benefits from the procedure outweigh the risks from the very small dose of radiation that you receive.

What if I cannot attend my appointment?

If you have any queries about your appointment or cannot attend, then please telephone the booking office on:
0161 204 2044/2404 (Salford Royal Hospital)
0161 624 0420 (Royal Oldham Hospital)
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.

You can also email:
salford.radiology.booking@nca.nhs.uk (Salford Royal Hospital)
bookingandscheduling.outpatients@nca.nhs.uk (Royal Oldham Hospital)

Please include name, date of birth, address and hospital number (if known) in any correspondence.

I need an ambulance. How do I arrange one?

If you need an ambulance there are contact details on your appointment letter.

Please contact us if you are arriving by ambulance so we can time your appointment with your ambulance arrival. If we are not aware that you are coming by ambulance you may miss your appointment and it may have to be rebooked.

If you need an interpreter

If you need an interpreter for your examination, please call the department so that we can try and arrange this.

Contact Details

We hope your questions have been answered by this leaflet.

If you require help or any other information regarding your appointment you can contact:
The Angiography Department, Salford Royal Hospital. Tel: 0161 206 2206/5091
Interventional Radiology, Royal Oldham Hospital. Tel: 0161 656 1178