Short-term efficacy of joint and soft tissue injections for musculoskeletal pain: An interventional cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: Musculoskeletal injections (MIs) are frequently used in conservative treatment-resistant cases. Joint or soft tissue (ST) corticosteroid (CS) or local anesthetic (LA) injections can be used to relieve musculoskeletal pain. Assessed in the present study was the short-term efficacy of MIs for pain relief, as was the relative efficacy of injections in various joint and ST sites. Methods: An interventional prospective cohort design was employed in the present study. Joint or ST injections for musculoskeletal pathologies were performed in patients over 18 years of age who were resistant to conservative treatment methods. Pain during rest and activity were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) by different clinicians prior to treatment and 3 weeks after. At the end of the study, efficacy at 7 injection sites (myofascial trigger points, shoulder, knee, lateral epicondyle, plantar fascia, lumbar, and coccyx regions) was analyzed. Results: Injections were administered to 225 of the 250 patients included. A total of 128 patients, of whom 94 were female, completed the study. Resting VAS values before and after treatment were 4.35±1.49 and 1.63±1.74, respectively. Activity VAS values before and after treatment were 8.41±1.33 and 4.04±2.37, respectively. Changes in resting and activity VAS values were significant (p<0.005). Significant reductions in pain were observed at all injection sites following treatment. Conclusion: Significant improvement in pain scores was observed 3 weeks after injections among all injection sites. LA or CS injections can be used safely and efficiently for pain relief over short time periods.