Effects of triple shoulder injection accompanied by fluoroscopy on pain experienced by patients with chronic shoulder pain

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the short-, mid- and long-term effects of a triple shoulder injection accompanied by fluoroscopy on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: The study was conducted by retrospective investigation of the files of 92 patients experiencing chronic shoulder pain, and on whom a triple shoulder injection with 40 mg methylprednisolone and 25 mg bupivacaine accompanied by fluoroscopy was applied between January 01, 2011 and August 31, 2012. Results: 1st week, 1st - 6th month, and 1st year VAS values were significantly lower when compared to the basal VAS values from a statistical point of view (p<0.001). However, VAS values corresponding to the 6th month and 1st year were significantly higher than the VAS values corresponding to the 1st week and 1st month when considered statistically (p<0.001). Conclusion: Triple shoulder injection accompanied by fluoroscopy applied on patients with chronic shoulder pain is effective in short-, mid- and long-term, but its mid- and long-term effectiveness is less than its short-term effectiveness.