2016 COA Annual Meeting: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Arthrographic Joint Injection with and without Steroids for the Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis

35 patients (37 shoulders treated) with adhesive capsulitis were randomized to receive an image-guided arthrographic glenohumeral injection with either local anaesthetic (lidocaine), steroids (triamcinolone), and contrast, or local anaesthetic and contrast only. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of triamcinolone to lidocaine and contrast is effective in improving pain, function, and disability outcomes of patients with adhesive capsulitis. Findings indicated significant improvements in both groups for visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores. While Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores and Constant scores were significantly improved in only the local+steroid group.