The Effects of Scapulothoracic Bursa Injections in Patients With Scapular Pain: A Pilot Study
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.
aDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, South Korea
bDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Cheju University Hospital, College of Medicine, South Korea
cDepartment of Radiology, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Kyunggi, South Korea
dDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Kyunggi, South Korea
Correspondence 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
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.
ABSTRACT