Percutaneous steroid injection versus oral NSAIDs on treatment of symptomatic calcific rotator cuff tendinitis: a short-term retrospective clinical evaluation

Abstract

Aim: Symptomatic calcific rotator cuff tendinopathies (CRCT) continue to be a significant health problem in the adult population because of intense pain and disability. Different clinical responses obtained with different treatment modalities show us the importance of determining the optimal method. The aim of this study is to compare short term pain and functional status improvements in adult patients diagnosed with CRCT and treated with oral non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (O-NSAID) or percutaneous steroid injections (PSI). Material and Method: A retrospective examination was made of the clinical results of adult patients diagnosed with CRCT and treated with one of the two treatment methods. Whole study group was formed of 40 patients (20 male, 20 female) with a mean age of 42.35 ± 8.28 (range, 23-57) years. The clinical responses of the patients in a period of 3 months were compared between the two treatment groups O-NSAID, PSI using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Scale (Q-DASH). The angular upper limit values of the active range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint (anteflexion and abduction angle) of patients also were compared in the study. Results: In the PSI treatment group, in the 3rd week and 3rd month clinical evaluations, significant better responses were obtained in both the VAS and Q-DASH scores of the patients compared to O-NSAID treatment group (p=0.000, p=0.001, respectively). And significant greater shoulder anteflexion and abduction ROM upper limits were determined in the PSI treament group compared to O-NSAID treatment group at the end of the 3rd month (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). Conclusion: The percutaneous steroid applications in treatment of CRCT can provide more pleasing short term results than O-NSAID treatments in terms of pain reduction and functional improvement.