Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 90, Issue 2 , Pages 279-284, February 2009

The Effects of Scapulothoracic Bursa Injections in Patients With Scapular Pain: A Pilot Study

  • Won Hyuk Chang, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, South Korea
    • ,
  • Sang Hee Im, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Cheju University Hospital, College of Medicine, South Korea
    • ,
  • Jeong Ah Ryu, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Kyunggi, South Korea
    • ,
  • Sang Chul Lee, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Kyunggi, South Korea
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Sang Chul Lee, MD, PhD, Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine, Myongii Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, 697-24, Hwajung-dong, Dukyang-ku, Kyunggi 412-270, South Korea
    • ,
  • Ji Sung Kim, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Kyunggi, South Korea

Abstract 

Chang WH, Im SH, Ryu JA, Lee SC, Kim JS. The effects of scapulothoracic bursa injections in patients with scapular pain: a pilot study.

Objective

To assess the effects of steroid plus hyaluronate injections for scapulothoracic bursitis in patients with scapular pain.

Design

Prospective open-label unicenter trial with a 3-month follow-up.

Setting

University rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Twenty-two cases of suspected scapulothoracic bursitis.

Intervention

Injections into scapulothoracic bursa were performed with steroid plus hyaluronate. Injections were administered once a week for 3 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

Visual analog scale (VAS), Rubin scale, adverse events, and injection-associated complications.

Results

Mean outcome scores at 3-month follow-up visits showed significant improvements versus baseline (mean VAS increased from 7.8 to 2.2) (P<.05). Furthermore, mean VAS scores at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment commencement showed significant improvements versus baseline (P<.05). No serious complication occurred during the study.

Conclusions

Scapulothoracic bursitis should be considered when treating patients with perimarginal scapular pain or subscapular pain. Our findings show that steroid plus hyaluronate injections into the scapulothoracic bursa provide an effective means of treating patients with scapulothoracic bursitis.

Key Words: Hyaluronic acid, Injections, Rehabilitation, Scapula

List of Abbreviations: HA, hyaluronic acid, STB, scapulothoracic bursitis, VAS, visual analog scale

 

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.

 Reprints are not available from the author.

PII: S0003-9993(08)01606-7

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.07.027

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 90, Issue 2 , Pages 279-284, February 2009

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