• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.50-56
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• 2014

Background: To assess the clinical outcomes of short-term oral corticosteroid therapy for impingement syndrome of the shoulder and determine whether it can be substituted as an alternative to the intra-articular injection. Methods: The clinical outcomes of the 173 patients, the oral steroid group (n=88) and the injection group (n=85), were measured at 3 weeks, 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were assessed by measuring the the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, visual analog scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) at every follow-up. Any complications and recurrence rate were noted. A relationship between the treatment outcomes and factors such as demographic factors, clinical symptoms and radiographic findings were determined. Results: No difference was observed in VAS and UCLA scores between the two groups, but forward flexion and internal rotation of ROM were significantly improved in the injection group at the 2nd and 4th postoperative month (p < 0.05). At 6th postoperative month, recurrence rate of symptoms was 26% in the oral steroid group and 22% in the injection group. No major adverse effects were observed. When the clinical outcomes of the oral steroid group were compared to either demographic, clinical symptoms, or radiographic findings, UCLA score was found to be significantly low (p < 0.05) in patients with joint stiffness and UCLA score, whereas VAS score was significantly improved in patients with night pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Short-term low-dose oral corticosteroid therapy of impingement syndrome showed comparable clinical outcomes to intra-articular injection without any remarkable adverse effects. Low-dose oral steroids can be regarded as a partial alternative to intra-articular injection for the initial therapy of impingement syndrome of the shoulder.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2013

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) arises from morphological abnormalities between the proximal femur and acetabulum. Impingement caused by these morphologic abnormalities induces early degenerative changes in the hip joint. Furthermore, FAI patients complain of severe pain and limited range of motion in the hip, but a guideline for treatment of FAI has not yet been established. Medication, supportive physical treatment and surgical procedures have been used in the treatment of the FAI patients; however, the efficacies of these treatments have been limited. Here, we report the diagnosis and treatment for 3 cases of FAI patients. Intra-articular (IA) steroid injection of the hip joint was performed in all three patients. After IA injection, pain was reduced and function had improved for up to three months.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-61
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• 2017

We report a case of fluoroscopy-guided intraarticular steroid injection for sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) arthritis caused by limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc). A 50-year-old woman diagnosed with limited cutaneous SSc presented with swelling and pain in the right SCJ. MRI revealed signs of inflammation consistent with right-sided sternoclavicular joint arthritis. After the failure of oral medications, we performed fluoroscopy-guided injection in this region. She reported complete resolution of her symptoms at 4 and 12-week follow-ups. This outcome suggests that a fluoroscopy-guided SCJ injection might be a safe and successful treatment option for sternoclavicular joint arthritis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.162-172
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• 2021

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rate and long-term efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture followed by an intra-articular steroid injection at the post-laminectomy lumbar facet. Materials and Methods We selected subjects who had undergone a fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with simultaneous intra-articular steroid injection within 6 months of MRI and demonstrated a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst at the level of a previous lumbar laminectomy. Fourteen patients were enrolled, and we determined whether cyst rupture and symptom improvement were achieved after each procedure. The degrees of symptom improvement were categorized into 4: 1) symptoms improved (30% or more reduction, based on pre-procedural and post-procedural Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores), 2) symptoms not improved, 3) patient underwent surgery after injection, and 4) loss of follow-up. Results The success rate of percutaneous synovial cyst rupture decreased with repeated procedures (62.5% for the first procedure and 0% to 33.3% for additional procedures). However, 80% of the patients had symptom improvement with the procedures, overall. The surgery rate was 14.3% in 14 patients. Conclusion For patients with post-laminectomy symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts, fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with intra-articular steroid injection may be an effective and less invasive treatment before considering a surgical approach.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.120-123
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• 2006

Spontaneous extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture is commonly caused by attrition of the tendon from trauma or inflammatory processes. We experienced a patient with extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture after steroid injection, in which the rupture may have been caused by the effects of steroid itself as well as direct damage from the needle. A 51-year-old woman complained of inability to extend her right thumb at the first metacarpophalangal & interphalangeal joint level. The patient had a history of local steroid injection into the dorsal & radial side of wrist on two occations, and had no history of trauma or rheumatologic disease. After a physical examination of the patient, we decided to explore the wrist. The patient agreed with operation. Intraoperatively, an incision was made into the wrist and the proximal and distal ends of the ruptured extensor pollicis longus tendon were identified. The defect between the proximal and the distal end was measured to approach 8cm, and a palmaris longus tendon graft was performed. After three months of rehabilitation, the first metacarpophalangal & interphalangeal joint recovered the normal range of motion. Steroid injection has been widely used in various musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, inadvertent steroid injection into the extra or intra articular spaces may lead to tendon rupture. Steroids reduce tensile strength by decreasing tenocyte activity and collagen synthesis. Also, the physical effect of direct needle-stick injury into the mesotenon and blood vessels around the tendon may cause damage. In addition, hematoma and edema may increase pressure around the tendon and compromise blood supply, leading to tendon degeneration and subsequent rupture. When injecting steroid into an articular area, all physicians should have a complete understanding of the surrounding anatomy and always keep in mind the hazards of such procedures.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the adductor canal block (ACB) in comparison to intra-articular steroid-lidocaine injection (IASLI) to control chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. Methods: A randomized, single-blinded trial in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic recruiting chronic KOA with pain ≥ 6 months over one year. Following randomization, subjects received either a single ACB or IASLI under ultrasound guidance. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores for pain, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were recorded at baseline, 1 hour, 1 month, and 3 months postinjection. Results: Sixty-six knees were recruited; 2 were lost to follow-up. Age was normally distributed (P = 0.463), with more female subjects in both arms (P = 0.564). NRS scores improved significantly for both arms at 1 hour, with better pain scores for the IASLI arm (P = 0.416) at 1st month and ACB arm at 3rd month (P = 0.077) with larger effect size (Cohen's d = 1.085). Lower limb function improved significantly in the IASLI arm at 1 month; the ACB subjects showed greater functional improvement at 3 months (Cohen's d = 0.3, P = 0.346). Quality of life (QoL) improvement mirrored the functional scores whereby the IASLI group fared better at the 1st month (P = 0.071) but at the 3rd month the ACB group scored better (Cohen's d = 0.08, P = 0.710). Conclusions: ACB provides longer lasting analgesia which improves function and QoL in chronic KOA patients up to 3 months without any significant side effects.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.102-106
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of single blinded anterior intra-articular corticosteroid injection to the glenohumeral joint performed by short experienced clinicians in frozen state adhesive capsulitis patients. Methods: From March to June of 2013, among the patients who visited the shoulder outpatient clinic due to shoulder pain for 5-6 months and those patient diagnosed as frozen state adhesive capsulitis was selected. The diagnosis were based on base, first the global limitation of range of motion, defined as forward elevation <100, external rotation at side <10, internal rotation less than buttock, and abduction <70. Second, the patients had additional radiologic evaluations showing no major pathologies for such stiffness. Clinical outcome, were performed with pain visual analog scale (PVAS) and functional visual analog scale (FVAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (ASES), preinjection and postinjection after 2-4 weeks. Finally 82-patients were enrolled. Mean age of the patients was 55.1 years and mean follow-up duration was 25.17 days. Results: The mean preinjection PVAS was 6.91 and postinjection was 3.11, there was 3.8 decreases from preinjection status (p < 0.001). The mean FVAS score showed 4.26 at preinjection and 6.63 afterwards (p < 0.001). The ASES score showed 27.89 increases after injection (p < 0.001). There were 64-patients (78.04%) who reported more than 3 points of decrease of PVAS, who could be judged as effective treatment. Conclusions: Single anterior glenohumeral steroid injection by short experienced clinicians to the patients with frozen state adhesive capsulitis has shown relatively high efficacy in clinical result evaluated by means of PVAS.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of single-dose corticosteroid injection (CSI) administered at 6 weeks postoperative to treat stiffness following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Methods: In this prospective, multicentric, case-control study, post-ARCR stiffness at 6 weeks was treated with either a single dose of intra-articular CSI (CSI group) or physical therapy with oral analgesics (non-CSI group). Pain intensity according to visual analog scale (VAS), functional outcome using the Constant Murley Shoulder Score, time to return to activities of daily living (ADLs), and retear rate were recorded at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postoperatively in both groups. Results: A total of 149 patients (54.5%) in the CSI group and 124 patients (45.5%) in the non-CSI group were included in this study. Pain and function were significantly better in the CSI group at 9-week, 12-week, and 6-month (P<0.001) follow-up, whereas they were not significantly different when the groups were compared at 12- and 18-month follow-up. The mean duration to return to ADLs was significantly shorter (P<0.001) in the CSI group. The incidence of retears was not significantly different (P=0.36) between groups at the end of 18 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Single-dose intra-articular CSI administered at 6 weeks postoperative to treat post-ARCR stiffness significantly improved pain, function, and duration of return to ADLs without increasing the risk of retears compared to patients who did not receive intra-articular CSI. Level of evidence: III.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2015

Background: This study measured the rate of adrenal insufficiency among rotator cuff tear patients, and determined the roles of steroid treatment and herbal medicine as specific risk factors of adrenal insufficiency. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the 53 patients who agreed to participate in the study and underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to a chronic full-thickness tear from March 2012 to September 2013. The diagnosis of adrenal insufficieny was made by rapid adrenocortical hormone test before the operation. We collected information regarding their history of steroid and herbal medicine treatment within the last 12 months. Results: The rate of adrenal insufficiency among the rotator cuff tear patients in our study was 18.9% (10 of 53 patients). Steroid treatment (p=0.034), frequency of local steroid injection (p=0.008), and herbal medicine treatment (p=0.02) showed significant association with the risk of adrenal insufficiency. Conclusions: In this study, careful taking of a patient's medical history, such as the use of steroids and herbal medicine, is important when investigating adrenal function before surgery.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2019

Arthritis of hip joints deteriorates the quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Secondary to the articular inflammatory process, the shortened hip-girdle muscles contribute to the decreased joint mobility which may lead to the functional impairment. As the limitation of range of motion (ROM) usually progress slowly, clinicians regard it as a chronic condition and prescribe long-term therapy. However, by short-term intensive multimodal treatment, a 20-year-old man diagnosed as AS with severely limited hip joint ROM who relied on crutches doubled the joint angle and could walk independently only within 2 weeks. The combination included intra-articular steroid injection, electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, heat, manual therapy, and stretching exercises. The management focused on the relaxation of hip-girdle muscles as well as the direct control of intra-articular inflammation. Hereby, we emphasize the effectiveness of intensive multimodal treatment in improving the function even within a short period.