Ultrasound guided steroid injection of subacromial bursa: morphologic and clinical effects on patients with supraspinatus tendon calcifications

Objective: Subacromial injection (SAI), due to its ease of application and increased patient tolerability, is one the preferred invasive therapies. In this study, we aimed evaluate effectiveness ultrasound-guided SAI in patients with supraspinatus calcific tendinitis by assessment roentgenograms clinical appraisal. Patients Methods: Thirty-five tendon calcifications as revealed roentgenography underwent SAI. Pre-treatment Disabilities Arm, Shoulder Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) scores Gartner’s Classification were obtained. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at 1st, 3rd 6th months posttreatment along a single roentgenogram planned month. Results: A total 53 SAIs performed on 36 shoulders, 21 female 14 male patients. Mean size 12.3 7.1 mm, pre-treatment month, respectively. Pre post-injection calcification mean sizes group improvement 13.6 5.7 mm; whereas, without diminished symptoms, they 11.8 9.4 mm demonstrating statistically significant intergroup difference (p<0.05). Pre-injection QuickDASH score 52.2; showed post-treatment; 20.7, 22.2 19.5, Conclusion: well-tolerated, easily applicable, safe effective treatment for pain alleviation tendinitis.