Comparison of Clinical Results of Pulsed Radio Frequency and Mixed Injection of Corticosteroid and Local Anesthetic in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Arman  Taheri; Foad  Fouladi; Alireza  Khajenasiri; Reza  Atef-Yekta; Nader-Ali  Nazemian-Yazdi; Fatemeh  Arjmandnia

doi:10.18502/aacc.v10is2.17215

Arman Taheri Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Foad Fouladi Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza Khajenasiri Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Reza Atef-Yekta Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nader-Ali Nazemian-Yazdi Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Amir Alam hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh Arjmandnia Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v10is2.17215

Keywords: Impingement syndrome; Radiofrequency; Corticosteroid

Abstract

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome is a clinical situation that presenting with shoulder pain, difficultly and weakness. Present study designed for evaluating the effect of radiofrequency and corticosteroid injection in longterm treatment follow up for pain reduction and functional evaluation of shoulder joint.

Methods: Sixty patients were analyzed equally in two treatment groups. Post-treatment follow up at one, four and twelve weeks after procedures were carried out using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain relief, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) for shoulder function and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Both treatment groups showed significantly pain reduction (P-value<0.001 for both) in 4 weeks after procedures. In time point comparison between 4 to 12 weeks postoperatively, there were significantly reduced pain in R group (P=0.03), but not significant in C group (P=0.1). Total SPADI score was significantly lower in RF group in time points 1 and 4 weeks (P<0.001), but not significant in 12 weeks of follow up.

Conclusion: Radiofrequency could not be sufficient alone for retrieving function of the shoulder at the long periods of time after procedure, unless good and effective results for first 1 and 4 weeks of follow up.