Summary

None of the investigated factors have predicted the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injection in frozen shoulder

Abstract

Background

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion.
There is little existing literature that has guided the need for intra-articular corticosteroid
injections, and the association of the risk factors of adhesive capsulitis and the need for
intra-articular corticosteroid injections. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship
between the known risk factors and the need for injections.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was done to establish the association between risk factors
of adhesive capsulitis and the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injections in
patients visiting our outpatient clinics from January 2022 to the end of December 2022.
During this period all patients diagnosed with primary adhesive capsulitis were
included. To compare the participants who used steroids with those who did not, the
chi-square test and linear model ANOVA were employed, depending on the type of
data and the normality of its distribution. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression
model was utilized to assess the predictive ability of demographic factors and
comorbidities in determining the use of steroids.

Results

There were 138 patients diagnosed with primary adhesive capsulitis. Patients were
divided into two groups according to the need for intra-articular corticosteroid injection.
No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding laterality, age,
sex, hypothyroidism, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes millets, or other
risk factors.

Conclusion

None of the investigated factors have predicted the need for intra-articular
corticosteroid injection. Further research is still needed to evaluate the relationship
between other factors and the need for such injections to help guide treatment
decisions