Subacromial bursitis is associated with short-term response to ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in rotator cuff disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Rotator cuff disorders (RCD) are among the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional limitation in clinical practice. Ultrasound (US)-guided subacromial corticosteroid injections are frequently used as a conservative treatment option for symptom relief in these patients. This study aimed to investigate the impact of subacromial bursitis on treatment outcomes following these injections.

METHODS

This single-center observational study included 55 adult patients diagnosed with RCD who underwent US-guided subacromial corticosteroid injections. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of subacromial bursitis, as determined by ultrasound imaging. The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included changes in shoulder function (Constant-Murley Score, CMS), disability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, SPADI), and shoulder range of motion (ROM). Comparative statistical analyses were conducted to assess pre- and post-injection changes between groups.

RESULTS

Patients with subacromial bursitis showed significantly greater improvements in pain (VAS, p = 0.009), shoulder function (CMS, p < 0.001), disability (SPADI, p < 0.001), and ROM (p < 0.001) at the three-week follow-up compared to those without bursitis. Apart from age, no significant differences were observed in sex, symptom duration, or baseline clinical scores (VAS, CMS, SPADI, ROM) (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Subacromial bursitis may be associated with a better short-term response to US-guided corticosteroid injections in RCD patients and could serve as a potential predictive marker for favorable outcomes. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term effects.