Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2019 | Painful Arc | Research article
Intra-substance steroid injection for full-thickness supraspinatus tendon rupture
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2019
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Background
The use of steroid injection for treatment of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment method.
Methods
Twelve patients in Group 1 received an intra-substance injection into rupture area of supraspinatus tendon with Diprospan 1 cc (betamethasone disodium phosphate 2 mg and betamethasone dipropionate 5 mg) and 1% xylocaine 1 cc. Twelve patients in Group 2 received an injection with normal saline 1 cc and 1% xylocaine 1 cc. The rupture size was measured by sonography before the injection, 3 months after the injection, and 6 months after the injection. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score and Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were measured and compared between the two groups before the injection, 1 week after the injection, 3 months after the injection, and 6 months after the injection.
Results
Pain and function improved more in Group 1 than in Group 2. The therapeutic effect lasted for at least 6 months in both groups. The size of the supraspinatus tendon rupture was not increased after injection in either group.
Conclusions
Intra-substance injection into rupture area of supraspinatus tendon with steroid and xylocaine is effective to reduce pain and improve function in patients with full-thickness supraspinatus tendon rupture without increasing the size of the rupture.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR1900026376, data of registration: 2019/10/05 retrospectively registered.