New Treatment for Neck and Shoulder Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Park Sin-Hye, Kim Sin-Hwe, Kim Minha, Jung Jong Burm, Choi Kwangwoon, Lee Daewook, Lee Je-Hun, Seong Jeong Won, Yang Cheol-Jung
Primary Institution: Borntouch Orthopaedic Clinic
Hypothesis
Can isotonic saline injections at nerve entrapment points effectively relieve posterior neck, trapezius, and interscapular pain?
Conclusion
Isotonic saline injections at specific nerve entrapment points can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain without complications.
Supporting Evidence
- Both treatments significantly reduced pain scores.
- Injection therapy showed a larger treatment effect size compared to ESWT.
- The mean clinically important difference for VAS was 4.2, indicating substantial improvement.
- Isotonic saline injections did not cause complications.
- Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger trials.
Takeaway
Doctors found that giving injections of salt water in certain neck muscles can help make neck and shoulder pain go away.
Methodology
This retrospective study involved 68 patients, with 34 receiving isotonic saline injections and 34 undergoing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Percent Pain Intensity Difference (PPID).
Potential Biases
Potential bias in treatment allocation was minimized through random assignment, but the retrospective nature may introduce selection bias.
Limitations
The study is retrospective with a small sample size and varied treatment durations, lacking radiological or electromyographic analyses.
Participant Demographics
Average age was 44.5 years, with a gender distribution of 41.2% male and 58.8% female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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