Need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections in patients with frozen shoulder

Abstract

Background: Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion. However, little is known regarding the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections for this condition, as well as the association between known risk factors and the need for these injections.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between known risk factors and the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the association between risk factors for adhesive capsulitis and the use of intra-articular corticosteroid injections in patients treated between January and December 2022. All patients diagnosed with primary adhesive capsulitis were included. Comparative analysis between steroid users and non-users was performed using chi-square tests and linear model ANOVA variance, based on the data type and distribution. A binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate whether demographics and comorbidities predicted corticosteroid injection use.

Results: In total, 138 patients were diagnosed with primary adhesive capsulitis. Patients were divided into two groups according to the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding laterality, age, sex, hypothyroidism, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and other risk factors.

Consclusion: None of the investigated factors predicted the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Further research is needed to explore other potential influences and improve treatment decision-making for adhesive capsulitis.

Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis; Epidemiology Level of Evidence: Level IV; Frozen shoulder; Incidence; Injections; Steroids.