title: Comparison of high- and low-dose intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection for treatment of primary shoulder stiffness: a prospective randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intra-articular corticosteroid injection has a proven effect for shoulder stiffness, yet the optimal dose is still controversial. The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection at 2 different doses in patients with shoulder stiffness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intra-articular injection of 40 mg (group I, n = 76) or 20 mg (group II, n = 71) of triamcinolone acetonide was performed in patients with shoulder stiffness. The outcome measures including range of motion (ROM), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale for pain score, and Simple Shoulder Test score were evaluated at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up. Among the patients with controlled diabetes, the levels of blood glucose, fructosamine, and HbA1cwere measured to evaluate systemic serologic changes induced by injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant improvements in ROM and functional scores in both groups at the last follow-up. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in any of the parameters at each time point. None of the diabetic patients in either group had a significant increase in blood glucose, fructosamine, and HbA1clevels compared with levels before injection. However, those in group I showed significantly higher blood glucose levels at 6 weeks after injection compared with those in group II (P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-articular injection of triamcinolone is an effective method for improving ROM and clinical function in patients with shoulder stiffness. However, there was no significant difference in regard to different doses. In diabetic patients, a lower dose is recommended as short-term glucose levels may increase with a high dose of corticosteroid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yang-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hyojin1229@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hyo-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Keun-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002062:Bursitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide
keywords: HbA(1c); Shoulder stiffness; blood glucose; diabetes mellitus; fructosamine; intra-articular injection; triamcinolone acetonide