Comparison of the Efficacy of Physiotherapy and Local Corticosteroid Injections on Painful shoulder

Abstract

Objectives: Local corticosteroid injections and physiotherapy are commonly used treatment options for painful shoulder. While evidence for these two interventions is poor we decided to design a study in order to investigate the efficacy of local steroid injections and physiotherapy and compare the results of two treatment groups. Methods: A total of 40 patients admitting with shoulder pain were included in the study. Patients were randomized to two treatment groups. The first group (n=20) received a total of 10 physiotherapy sessions. The second group (n=20) received a single corticosteroid injection for the shoulder joint through posterior approach. In addition, both treatment groups received a standardized exercise program. The patients were evaluated before treatment and 2,4,12,24 weeks after the treatment for the clinical and functional parameteres.  Results: Compared to baseline, statistically significant improvement was noted at all follow-up assessments in both groups in Visual Analog Scala(VAS) score, shoulder ROM(range of motion) measurements, Constant-Murley score(CMS), and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ)score. There was no significant difference between the two treatment interventions. Conclusions: Both physiotherapy and local corticosteroid injections are effective in reducing pain and improving functional status in patients for shoulder pain and two methods are not superior to each other.