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Comparison of Outcomes of Two Different Corticosteroid Injection Approaches for Primary Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized
Zhibo Deng1, Zhi Li1, Xiangwei Li1
1Center for Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
|January 4, 2023
Summary
The anterior injection approach for frozen shoulder provides superior pain relief and faster functional recovery compared to the posterior approach. This randomized trial highlights the anterior corticosteroid injection as a more effective early treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Musculoskeletal Medicine
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for primary frozen shoulder.
- The optimal injection approach for glenohumeral joint corticosteroid delivery remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical benefits of anterior versus posterior corticosteroid injection approaches for primary frozen shoulder.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients with primary frozen shoulder.
- Patients were randomized to receive either an anterior or posterior intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide and lidocaine.
- Outcomes assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks included pain (visual analogue scale), function (Constant-Murley score), and range of motion.
Main Results:
- Both anterior and posterior approaches showed improvement in all outcome measures over time.
- The anterior approach demonstrated significantly better visual analogue scale scores at all follow-up points (p < 0.05).
- Faster and significant improvements in function and external rotation were observed in the anterior group during the early stages (p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- The anterior injection approach for primary frozen shoulder yields more satisfactory pain control.
- The anterior approach facilitates a better and faster recovery of functional activity in the early treatment period compared to the posterior approach.
