Correlation Between Non-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Clinical Assessment in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis.

Introduction Adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder," is characterized by pain and significant functional limitation. It predominantly affects individuals over 40 years old and is commonly associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders. Imaging studies, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may help understand structural changes linked to mobility restrictions. Methods This retrospective study analyzed patients clinically diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis between 2017 and 2019. All patients underwent non-contrast MRI on a 1.5T scanner. Radiological findings correlated with shoulder range-of-motion deficits, including capsular thickening in the axillary recess and hypersignal in multiple quadrants. Results Capsular thickening in the axillary recess showed a significant negative correlation with elevation (r = -0.42; p = 0.003) and lateral rotation (r = -0.38; p = 0.008). However, hypersignal in multiple quadrants did not correlate statistically with functional limitations. Conclusion Non-contrast MRI effectively identified capsular changes associated with mobility restrictions in adhesive capsulitis, aiding in diagnosis and management. Further studies with larger samples and longitudinal follow-ups are needed to validate these findings.