Shoulder Hydrodilatation for Frozen Shoulder
A precise, ultrasound-guided treatment for adhesive capsulitis — performed by experienced specialists at our CQC-registered clinic in Hinchley Wood, serving patients across Esher, Cobham, Oxshott, Surbiton, Hampton and the wider Surrey and South West London region.
A trusted treatment for stubborn shoulder stiffness
Adhesive capsulitis — better known as frozen shoulder — can persist for many months and significantly affect daily life. When physiotherapy and pain relief alone are not enough, ultrasound-guided shoulder hydrodilatation offers a well-evidenced, minimally invasive option to help restore movement and reduce discomfort.
At Hinchley Medical we deliver this procedure under live ultrasound guidance, performed by clinicians with extensive interventional radiology experience. Patients from across Hinchley Wood, Esher, Cobham, Oxshott, Surbiton, Hampton, Weybridge, Kingston and the surrounding parts of Surrey and South West London choose us for our short waiting times, transparent pricing and consultant-led care.
i What is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder is a common condition affecting the glenohumeral joint, causing it to become very painful and stiff. The capsule surrounding the joint becomes thickened and inflamed, which restricts the normal range of shoulder movement and produces persistent pain.
Primary frozen shoulder is idiopathic — meaning the underlying cause is not clearly identified. Secondary frozen shoulder is often associated with diabetes, previous shoulder trauma, immobilisation, thyroid disease or a history of cardiovascular disease.
The condition is generally self-limiting and may resolve without intervention, but the natural course can take anywhere from 12 to 42 months. For many patients this is too long to wait, which is where targeted interventional treatment becomes valuable.
ii How is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosed?
Frozen shoulder is primarily a clinical diagnosis, made on the basis of your reported symptoms and a thorough physical examination of the shoulder by a qualified clinician.
An X-ray of the shoulder is usually requested to exclude other potential causes of shoulder pain such as arthritis, calcific tendinitis or fracture. In some cases, an ultrasound scan or MRI may also be advised.
If you are unsure whether your shoulder pain is due to frozen shoulder, our private GP or specialist clinicians at Hinchley Medical can review your symptoms, examine your shoulder and arrange any imaging required — typically with same-week availability for patients across Esher, Hinchley Wood, Cobham and Oxshott.
iii What Are the Treatment Options?
Conservative management is usually the first step:
- Pain relief medication, such as anti-inflammatories where suitable
- Targeted physiotherapy and a tailored shoulder mobility programme
- Activity modification to avoid aggravating movements
Interventional management is considered if conservative measures have not provided adequate relief:
- Ultrasound-guided steroid injections for pain relief
- Ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation if stiffness is the main limiting factor
If your symptoms persist despite physiotherapy and oral medication — and stiffness is a dominant issue — your clinician may recommend referral for a hydrodilatation procedure.
iv What Does Hydrodilatation Involve?
The procedure is performed in our clinic under sterile conditions using live ultrasound guidance for precision and safety:
- Local anaesthetic is applied to the skin and deeper tissues — usually at the back of the shoulder
- A fine needle is then accurately positioned into the joint capsule
- A larger volume of fluid is injected into the joint to gently stretch and distend the capsule, helping to improve range of movement
- A steroid is often added at the same time to reduce inflammation and pain
Physiotherapy is essential after the procedure to consolidate the gains in movement and aid recovery — please ensure this is arranged before you attend.
v Risks of Shoulder Hydrodilatation
Shoulder hydrodilatation is a safe procedure. Live ultrasound guidance and aseptic technique with sterile equipment are used throughout to minimise risk.
Possible risks include:
- Infection — small risk, approximately 1 in 10,000
- Minor bruising at the injection site
- Damage to surrounding vessels or nerves (rare)
- Failure of the procedure to achieve the desired benefit
Possible side-effects related to the steroid include: temporary worsening of pain, facial flushing, a small risk of skin de-pigmentation or dimpling at the injection site, and possible changes to the menstrual cycle. Patients with diabetes may experience a temporary rise in blood sugar levels.
vi Post-Procedure Care
The local anaesthetic typically lasts 4–6 hours. As it wears off the shoulder may feel uncomfortable or heavy — this is expected and usually short-lived.
- Avoid heavy or overhead lifting with the affected shoulder for 48 hours
- Arrange for a friend or family member to accompany you and ideally drive you home
- Begin or continue physiotherapy as soon as possible to maximise benefit
- Use simple analgesia (e.g. paracetamol) as needed for any post-procedure ache
Most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two, with progressive improvement in shoulder range of motion over the following weeks alongside physiotherapy.
From first call to recovery
A streamlined four-step pathway designed for patients across Surrey and South West London — most patients are seen, scanned and treated within one to two weeks.
The local anaesthetic lasts 4–6 hours. As it wears off, the shoulder may feel temporarily heavy or uncomfortable — this is normal and short-lived.
- No heavy or overhead lifting for 48 hours
- Arrange for someone to drive you home
- Begin physiotherapy as soon as possible
- Simple analgesia is fine for residual ache
- Resume gentle daily activities the next day
Every hydrodilatation at Hinchley Medical is performed under strict sterile conditions, with live ultrasound imaging from start to finish.
- CQC-registered private clinic
- Fully aseptic single-use sterile equipment
- Real-time ultrasound needle tracking
- Performed by experienced clinicians
- Clear pre- and post-procedure instructions
Private shoulder hydrodilatation across Surrey & South West London
Our clinic in Hinchley Wood sits on Station Approach, just off the A309, with on-site parking and a 90-second walk from Hinchley Wood railway station. Patients travel comfortably to us from Esher, Cobham, Oxshott, Surbiton, Hampton, Weybridge, Kingston upon Thames, Walton-on-Thames, Thames Ditton, East Molesey and Long Ditton for ultrasound-guided shoulder treatments — typically with same-week appointments and no NHS waiting list.
If you have been searching for a private frozen shoulder clinic near me, shoulder injection in Esher, hydrodilatation Cobham, ultrasound shoulder clinic Surbiton or private shoulder specialist Surrey, Hinchley Medical offers a single, consolidated point of care for the whole region.
Ready to regain your shoulder movement?
View our complete ultrasound packages and pricing, or book a consultation directly. Our team will guide you through suitability, preparation and post-procedure physiotherapy planning.