title: The effects of scapulothoracic bursa injections in patients with scapular pain: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of steroid plus hyaluronate injections for scapulothoracic bursitis in patients with scapular pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective open-label unicenter trial with a 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  University rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two cases of suspected scapulothoracic bursitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Injections into scapulothoracic bursa were performed with steroid plus hyaluronate. Injections were administered once a week for 3 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual analog scale (VAS), Rubin scale, adverse events, and injection-associated complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean outcome scores at 3-month follow-up visits showed significant improvements versus baseline (mean VAS increased from 7.8 to 2.2) (P<.05). Furthermore, mean VAS scores at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment commencement showed significant improvements versus baseline (P<.05). No serious complication occurred during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scapulothoracic bursitis should be considered when treating patients with perimarginal scapular pain or subscapular pain. Our findings show that steroid plus hyaluronate injections into the scapulothoracic bursa provide an effective means of treating patients with scapulothoracic bursitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won Hyuk
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sang Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Jeong Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Sang Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002061:Bursa, Synovial; D002062:Bursitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012540:Scapula; D013909:Thorax; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D055675:Viscosupplements; D014221:Triamcinolone; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid