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Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injections combined with shoulder exercises in the treatment of subacromial adhesive bursitis

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the association of exercises for the shoulder with ultrasound-guided injection into the bursa significantly improves the treatment outcome in adhesive bursitis. Two groups of 35 patients, one treated with ultrasound-guided injection (UGI) and the other one with ultrasound-guided injection and home exercise program (UGI-exercise) for 1 month, were assessed for pain and shoulder function before treatment, 1 and 3 months post-treatment. Fourteen patients in UGI group and 23 patients in the UGI-exercises group were completely free of pain after 1 month (p = 0.031). At 3 months’ follow-up, patients in the UGI-exercise group showed a significant improvement with respect to the other group (p = 0.005). No differences were found in function assessment. The UGI combined with shoulder exercises in the treatment of subacromial adhesive bursitis is effective to ensure a more frequent complete pain relief in the medium term.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Paola Pollastri for the contribution to data collection and to Dr. Elettra Pignotti for statistical analysis support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, Bologna, Italy

    Giuseppe Gasparre, Isabella Fusaro, Silvia Volini & Maria Grazia Benedetti

  2. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

    Stefano Galletti

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Gasparre
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  2. Isabella Fusaro
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  3. Stefano Galletti
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  4. Silvia Volini
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  5. Maria Grazia Benedetti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isabella Fusaro.

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Gasparre, G., Fusaro, I., Galletti, S. et al. Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injections combined with shoulder exercises in the treatment of subacromial adhesive bursitis. Musculoskelet Surg 96 (Suppl 1), 57–61 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-012-0191-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-012-0191-6

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