Effect of Hypertonic Dextrose Injection on Pain and Shoulder Disability in Patients with Chronic Supraspinatus Tendinosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effect of hypertonic dextrose injection on pain and disability in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. Our secondary aim was to evaluate its effect on the tendon range of motion (ROM) and morphology. Design Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial Setting Outpatient clinic Participants Individuals (N = 57) with symptomatic chronic supraspinatus tendinosis Interventions Participants were randomly administered ultrasound-guided injections of 20% hypertonic dextrose (n = 29, study group) or 5% normal saline (n = 28, control group). Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) scores. Secondary outcomes included the ROM and ultrasound examination findings of the supraspinatus tendon at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postintervention. Results The study group exhibited significant improvements (mean difference [MD]; 95%CI) in the VAS (MD −2.1, 95%CI −2.7 to −1.4, P Conclusion Hypertonic dextrose injection could provide short-term pain and disability relief in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. Ultrasound imaging at Week 6 revealed changed tendon morphology.