Comparison of high- and low-dose intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection for treatment of primary shoulder stiffness: a prospective randomized trial

151 patients with shoulder stiffness were randomized to an intraarticular injection of either 40mg or 20mg triamcinolone acetonide (TA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if high-dose TA demonstrated a significantly greater post-injection range of motion compared to low-dose TA. Average follow-up length was 17.6 months in the 40mg group and 18.1 months in the 20mg group. Results demonstrated significant within-group increases in forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation in both groups, with no significant between-group differences. In patients with diabetes, no patient in either group experienced a significant increase in blood glucose, fructosamine, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) after 6 or 12 weeks.