Corticosteroid Injections for Shoulder Pain: A Comparison of Practices
Author Information
Author(s): John G Skedros, Kenneth J Hunt, Todd C Pitts
Primary Institution: Utah Bone and Joint Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Hypothesis
There are significant differences in types and doses of corticosteroid and local anesthetic used for shoulder injections within and between surgical and non-surgical specialists who treat various painful shoulder conditions.
Conclusion
Variations between specialists in anesthetic doses suggest that surgeons use significantly larger volumes, indicating a need for uniform injection guidelines.
Supporting Evidence
- 64% of surveys were returned, indicating a good response rate.
- 89% of responding physicians treat painful shoulder conditions with corticosteroid injections.
- Significant differences in anesthetic volumes were found between surgeons and non-surgeons.
Takeaway
Doctors use different amounts of medicine when giving shoulder injections, and surgeons tend to use more than others. This shows we need better rules for how much to use.
Methodology
A survey was conducted among 264 physicians regarding their use of corticosteroid and anesthetic doses for shoulder injections.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the lower response rate from PCSMs/PMRs compared to other groups.
Limitations
The study's regional focus may limit the applicability of the results to broader geographical areas.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 105 orthopaedic surgeons, 44 primary-care sports medicine/physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, and 20 rheumatologists.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p > 0.3 for corticosteroid doses; p < 0.01 for anesthetic volumes
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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