DOES ACCURACY OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION PREDICT OUTCOME IN PAIN AND FUNCTION IN SUBACROMIAL IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME?

IntroductionSubacromial corticosteroid injection is widely used in the treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS). There is increasing interest in using ultrasound (US) to improve the accurate placement of injections. This study investigated whether the accuracy of placement of US-guided subacromial corticosteroid injections influences patients' outcome of pain and function.MethodSecondary analysis of data from a 2−2 factorial randomised controlled trial investigating exercise and corticosteroid injection for pain and function in SIS. US-guided injections were delivered according to a pre-defined protocol. Video images were reviewed to categorise accuracy of injection into the subacromial bursa into 3 accuracy groups using pre-defined criteria: 1) not in the subacromial bursa; 2) probably in the subacromial bursa; and 3) definitely in the subacromial bursa. The primary outcome measure was the self-reported Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) total score, compared at 6 weeks and 6 months. S...