Vol.19 No.2

Original Article

Methylprednisolone versus triamcinolone in painful shoulder using ultrasound-guided injection

Authors

Mario Alfredo Chávez-Löpez1 , Luis Alberto Navarro-Soltero1 , Alejandro Rosas-Cabral2 , Adán Gallaga1 , Guillermo Huerta-Yáñez1

  • Rheumatology Department, Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo, Galeana Sur 465, Obraje, C.P. 20230 Aguascalientes, Mexico
  • Medicine Department, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
Received:

16 June 2008

Accepted:

7 October 2008

Published online:

22 November 2008

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Abstract

There is little evidence about the comparative efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of painful shoulder. The main aim was to compare the efficacy of methylprednisolone (MTP) versus triamcinolone (TMC) in the treatment of painful shoulder using an ultrasound-guided injection. Patients with painful shoulder due to subacromial bursitis and partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears demonstrated by musculoskeletal ultrasound received a guided-injection of MTP acetate 40 mg (12 patients) or TMC acetonide 40 mg (12 patients). Range of motion and pain visual analogue scale were registered at 10 and 30 min, 1 and 2 weeks postinjection. Two weeks postinjection, both groups reported a mean improvement in range of motion (33%) and relief of pain (61%). Relief of pain of 50% or more was observed in 92% of patients in MTP group and 50% of TMC group (p = 0.02). Two months postinjection, 50% of the patients in MTP group and 25% in TMC group reported total relief of pain (p = 0.3). Patients with painful shoulder receiving an ultrasound-guided injection of MTP or TMC have a rapid and sustained overall response. Relief of pain tends to be more rapid with MTP than TMC.

Key words

Painful shoulder - Musculoskeletal ultrasound - Methylprednisolone - Triamcinolone - Efficacy