Shoulder Hydrodilatation for Frozen Shoulder, Cardiff & South Wales
Ease the pain and get your shoulder moving again, without surgery. Ultrasound-guided by a Consultant Radiologist, with up to 90% of patients improving when combined with physiotherapy.
guided hydrodilatation
What's included for £399
- ✓Consultation with a Consultant Radiologist
- ✓Live ultrasound guidance into the shoulder joint
- ✓Saline, local anaesthetic and steroid
- ✓Written report and aftercare advice
- ✓Exercise advice to start straight away
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
with physio alongside
procedure time
every year
reviews on Google
Why choose Acorn
Experienced radiologists
Our consultant radiologists have extensive experience performing hydrodilatation.
Guided into the joint
Live ultrasound makes sure the fluid fills the capsule, where it can stretch it.
Seen within 48 hours
No long wait while your shoulder stiffens. Most appointments are within 48 hours.
HIW regulated
Inspected by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, with GMC-registered consultants.
Stretching a frozen shoulder from the inside
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) happens when the capsule of tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened and tight. The result is pain, often worst at night, and stiffness that makes dressing, reaching and sleeping a struggle.
Hydrodilatation is a minimally invasive treatment for this. Under ultrasound guidance, your consultant injects a mixture of saline, local anaesthetic and steroid into the shoulder joint. The volume of fluid gently stretches the tight capsule, and the steroid calms the inflammation. Together, they ease pain and free up movement.
It's done under local anaesthetic, takes around 20–30 minutes, and you go home the same day. Combined with a good physiotherapy programme, it can improve symptoms in up to 90% of patients, and it's often recommended when physio or a steroid injection alone hasn't been enough.
Hydrodilatation may help if any of these sound familiar
How frozen shoulder progresses
Left alone, frozen shoulder can take a year or more to settle. Treatment aims to shorten that and get you moving sooner.
Freezing
Pain builds gradually and movement starts to reduce. Pain is often worst at night. Typically lasts a few months.
Frozen
Pain may ease a little, but the shoulder is now very stiff and everyday tasks become difficult. Can last for several months.
Thawing
Movement slowly returns. Without treatment this can take many months, and some people never get full movement back.
Hydrodilatation is most helpful when pain and stiffness are holding you back. Your consultant will assess your shoulder and tell you honestly whether it's the right treatment at this stage.
Frozen shoulder treatment options
Most people do best with a combination. We'll help you choose the right next step.
Physiotherapy
- What it does
- Keeps the shoulder moving and rebuilds strength
- On its own
- Slow when pain limits exercises
- At Acorn
- Alongside every option
Steroid injection
- What it does
- Eases pain and inflammation
- On its own
- Less effect on stiffness
- At Acorn
- £350
Hydrodilatation
- What it does
- Eases pain and stretches the tight capsule
- Recovery
- Home the same day, physio straight after
- At Acorn
- £399
Surgery
- What it does
- Releases the capsule under general anaesthetic
- Recovery
- Hospital procedure, longer recovery
- At Acorn
- Onward referral if needed
Your procedure, step by step
Meet your consultant
We talk through your shoulder, history and medication, and answer your questions.
Prepare the shoulder
You lie on the couch, the skin is cleaned and numbed, and the joint is checked on ultrasound.
Hydrodilatation (20–30 mins)
The fluid is guided into the joint on live ultrasound. You may feel pressure as the capsule stretches.
Home with a plan
Aftercare and exercise advice before you leave, with a written report to follow.
What recovery looks like
Same day
Your arm may feel numb, heavy or weak for a few hours from the local anaesthetic. Arrange a lift home.
First 48 hours
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity. Over-the-counter pain relief, like paracetamol or ibuprofen, helps with any soreness.
First few days
Start the gentle exercises we give you. Pain often begins to ease as the steroid takes effect.
Weeks 2–4
Movement usually improves noticeably. Keep up the stretching and physio to build on it.
Following months
Regular physio helps you regain strength and range, so the improvement lasts.
Any concerns
Call us on 029 2199 9300 if your shoulder becomes hot, red or increasingly painful, or you feel unwell.
Preparation — no fasting needed
How to prepare for hydrodilatation
Afterwards: avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for at least 48 hours, take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, and start your exercises as advised. Your consultant will give you specific instructions before you leave.
What our patients say
I was given an almost immediate appointment with clear guidance. Dr Syed conversed with me in a reassuring manner. I left with excellent aftercare advice. The next day I am completely pain free!
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by Dr Syed Junaid and his team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Excellent service. From a fantastic easy online booking service to the procedure itself — the doctor fed back the result directly to me. Very efficient and professional.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for the whole procedure, with no hidden extras.
Steroid injection
- ✓Ultrasound-guided steroid into the shoulder
- ✓Eases pain and inflammation
- ✓Diagnostic scan of the area included
Hydrodilatation
- ✓Saline, local anaesthetic and steroid
- ✓Stretches the capsule to improve movement
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Shoulder barbotage
- ✓For calcium deposits in the rotator cuff
- ✓Deposit broken up and washed out
- ✓Often resolves the problem for good
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
All prices include consultation, ultrasound-guided procedure, medication, written report and aftercare advice.
Hydrodilatation at our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Cowbridge, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about shoulder hydrodilatation
How much does shoulder hydrodilatation cost in Cardiff?
Ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation at Acorn is £399 all-inclusive. That covers the consultant consultation, the ultrasound-guided procedure, the saline, local anaesthetic and steroid, sterile equipment, a written report and aftercare advice.
What is shoulder hydrodilatation?
It's a minimally invasive treatment for frozen shoulder. Under ultrasound guidance, a mixture of saline, local anaesthetic and steroid is injected into the shoulder joint. The volume of fluid gently stretches (dilates) the tight joint capsule, and the steroid reduces inflammation, helping to ease pain and improve movement.
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is when the capsule of tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened and tight. It causes pain and stiffness and can make everyday tasks like dressing, reaching and sleeping difficult. It's most common between the ages of 40 and 60, and more common in people with diabetes or thyroid conditions.
How successful is hydrodilatation?
Combined with a good physiotherapy programme, hydrodilatation can improve symptoms in up to 90% of patients. The physio afterwards is a key part of that result, so we'll give you exercises to start straight away.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, a referral is required for all injections, including hydrodilatation. It can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant. Please email it to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment. No referral? Book a £120 consultation with one of our doctors first.
Is hydrodilatation painful?
The skin is numbed with local anaesthetic first. Most people feel pressure or a deep ache as the fluid goes in, because the capsule is being stretched. It's usually uncomfortable rather than painful, and it settles quickly. We'll talk you through each step.
How long does it take?
The procedure itself takes about 20–30 minutes. Allow a little extra time for your consultation beforehand and aftercare advice afterwards.
When will I notice a difference?
Pain often eases within the first few days as the steroid takes effect. Movement usually improves over 2–4 weeks, as long as you keep up the stretching and physio exercises.
Do I need physio afterwards?
Yes, and it makes a real difference. Hydrodilatation creates a window where the shoulder is less painful and less tight. Using that window to stretch and strengthen with a physiotherapist is what helps the improvement last. Ideally, book your physio before your procedure.
What are the risks?
Complications are rare. The main risks are bleeding, infection and an allergic reaction to the medication. You may have some shoulder discomfort for a few days. Because steroid is used, some people notice facial flushing, poor sleep for a night or two, or, if diabetic, raised blood sugar for a few days.
Is it better than a steroid injection?
A standard steroid injection mainly helps pain. Hydrodilatation adds a larger volume of fluid to stretch the capsule, so it targets stiffness as well. It's often recommended when physio and steroid injections haven't given enough relief.
Can I drive home afterwards?
We recommend arranging a lift. The local anaesthetic can leave your arm feeling numb, heavy or weak for a few hours.
Is hydrodilatation covered by health insurance?
Many insurers cover it when there's a clinical need. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz. Check with your insurer and bring an authorisation code.
Where can I have hydrodilatation near Cardiff?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre with free street parking.
Get your shoulder moving again.
Ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder, performed by a Consultant Radiologist. Home the same day, most appointments within 48 hours. £399 all-inclusive.
Still not sure? Start with a £120 consultation.
We'll examine you, scan if needed and recommend the right treatment. Book your procedure the same day and the £120 is credited against it.
Book a consultation