Ucuncu F , Capkin E , Karkucak M , Ozden G , Cakirbay H , Tosun M , Guler M
The Clinical Journal of Pain [01 Nov 2009, 25(9):786-789]
Type: Comparative Study, Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article
DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181acb0e4
[h=3]Abstract[/h]AIM: To compare the effectiveness of landmark-guided local injections and ultrasonography (USG) guided injections for shoulder pain. METHODS: A total 60 consecutive patients with shoulder pain due to soft tissue disorders was enrolled, and randomly assigned to receive triamcinolone (40 mg) either by landmark-guided (LMG, n=30) or USG guided (n=30) injection. The patients were evaluated on admission and 6 weeks after the injection. Clinical assessment included demographic and clinical data, a visual analoge scale (VAS) for pain (0 to 10 cm), the Constant scale (0 to 100) for function, passive and active shoulder range of motion (ROM) with goniometric evaluation, and postinjection adverse effects. RESULTS: Initial demographic, clinical and USG findings in the groups exhibited no significant differences. Six weeks after injection, the VAS and the Constant score showed a significantly better improvement in USG group compared with LMG group (mean VAS score decrease: 4.0+/-1.7 for USG vs. 2.2+/-0.9 for LMG, P