Objective
The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of subacromial bursa injection of hyaluronate in patients with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder.

Method
Fifty nine patients with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder were injected with hyaluronate (Hyruan^Ⱂ, LG chemical) 2.5 ml to subacromial bursa once a week for 5 weeks and randomly selected twenty eight patients among them were injected with Depomedrol^Ⱂ 20 mg only at first week. The effect of hyaluronate injection was evaluated by pain (Visaul analogue scale), night pain, range of motion of shoulder, functional activities of daily living and patient's self satisfaction at preinjection, every week after first injection until 5th week, 8th and 12th week.

Results
Visual analogue scale and night pain were signi-

ficantly decreased at 5th and 12th week compared with preinjection status. The range of motion of shoulder and functional activities of daily living significantly improved at 5th week and 12th week. Eighty eight percent (N=52) of patients reported as a little improved, improved or much improved at 5th week. No significant serious side effect of injection was found until 12th week.

Conclusion
Hyaluronate injection into subacromial bursa decreased pain and improved shoulder range of motion. It also improved functional activities of daily living of patients with adhesive capsulitis. So it is effective and safe for those patients, especially who cannot receive corticosteroid intraarticular injection. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 73-80)