Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections for adhesive capsulitis more effective than placebo

Commentary on: Prestgaard T, Wormgoor ME, Haugen S, et al.. Ultrasound-guided intra-articular and rotator interval corticosteroid injections in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a double-blind, sham-controlled randomized study. Pain 2015;156:1683–91. Context Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder or painful stiff shoulder) is relatively common. It is idiopathic: known associated factors include trauma, diabetes, prolonged immobilisation, age, stroke and autoimmune disease. While self-limited, pain and decreased range of motion can last up to 2–3 years. Therefore, there is practical value in therapeutic interventions to hasten symptom resolution. Arthroscopic examination suggests involvement of both the capsule and the rotator interval, defined as the space between the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons, including the long head of the biceps tendon, the coracohumeral and the superior glenohumeral ligaments, and part of the joint capsule.1 Although corticosteroid injections appear to be more effective than placebo or physiotherapy, it is debated whether accuracy and effectiveness...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Rehabilitation medicine, Immunology (including allergy), Pain (neurology), Stroke, Radiology, Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Osteoarthritis, Sports and exercise medicine, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Screenin Source Type: research