Corticosteroid Injections Accelerate Pain Relief and Recovery of Function Compared With Oral NSAIDs in Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Am J Sports Med. 2016 Feb;44(2):474-81. doi: 10.1177/0363546515616238. Epub 2015 Dec 9.

Abstract

Background: Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is a common therapy for adhesive capsulitis, but there is a lack of prospective randomized controlled studies analyzing the efficacy of single injections applied blindly to accelerate improvement in pain and function.

Hypothesis: In patients with adhesive capsulitis, a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection without image control applied before the beginning of a physical therapy program will accelerate pain relief and recovery of function compared with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: A total of 74 patients with primary adhesive capsulitis in the freezing stage were randomized to receive either intra-articular injections with betamethasone or oral NSAIDs. Clinical outcome was documented at baseline and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and comprised a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score, the abbreviated Constant-Murley score, and the abbreviated Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score for function. Passive range of motion was measured with a goniometer.

Results: Patients treated with corticosteroid injections achieved faster pain relief compared with control patients during the first 8 weeks after treatment (P < .001). However, no significant difference in pain was observed among the groups at final follow-up. Likewise, shoulder function and motion improved significantly in both groups at all follow-up points. Shoulder function scores and most motion parameters improved faster in the injection group up to week 8 (P < .001). Again, no significant differences in function or motion were seen at final follow-up.

Conclusion: In patients with adhesive capsulitis, a single corticosteroid injection applied without image control provides faster pain relief and earlier improvement of shoulder function and motion compared with oral NSAIDs.

Keywords: adhesive capsulitis; corticosteroids; frozen shoulder; intra-articular injections.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Aged
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage*
  • Bursitis / drug therapy*
  • Bursitis / physiopathology
  • Bursitis / rehabilitation
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / prevention & control
  • Pain Measurement
  • Prospective Studies
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Shoulder Joint / physiology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal