1.
The effects of inclusion of minimal-dose corticosteroid in autologous whole blood and dextrose injection for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis
Lee SH, Choi HH, Chang MC
Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 2021
Abstract
BACKGOUND Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that causes pain. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effect of the inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in a solution comprising autologous whole blood (AWB), 20% dextrose, and 2% lidocaine for treating LE. METHODS In this randomized prospective trial LE patients were allocated to the CS+ group (n= 70; solution comprising 1 mL AWB, 1 mL 20% dextrose, 0.4 mL 2% lidocaine, and 0.1 mL (0.4 mg) dexamethasone palmitate; injected into the common wrist extensor tendon) or the CS- group (n= 70; same solution as above but without dexamethasone palmitate). Five injections were administered at monthly intervals. At each visit, pain intensity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and grip strength was measured using a hand-grip dynamometer. RESULTS In the CS+ and CS- groups, 1 and 10 patients dropped out, respectively. In both groups, the NRS scores at each evaluation were significantly lower than the pretreatment scores. The NRS scores from pretreatment to the second and third visits were significantly lower in the CS+ group than those in the CS- group. However, at the fourth and fifth visits, and 6 months after the last injection (the sixth visit), the degree of pain reduction between the groups was not significantly different. Grip strength increased significantly over time in both groups. At each evaluation, grip strength was significantly higher than that at the pretreatment stage. However, the degree of increase was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in the AWB and 20% dextrose injection can reduce pain, especially during early treatment.
2.
Comparison of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection and conventional physical therapy for management of adhesive capsulitis: a randomized trial
Thu AC, Kwak SG, Shein WN, Htun M, Htwe TTH, Chang MC
The Journal of international medical research. 2020;48(12):300060520976032
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of ultrasound (US)-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the shoulder joint in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and compared its effect with that of conventional physiotherapy (CPT). METHODS Sixty-four subjects with AC were included and randomly allocated into two groups, as follows: PRP (n=32; intra-articular [IA] PRP [4 mL] was injected); and CPT (n=32; short wave diathermy and exercise therapy were performed at three sessions/week for 6 weeks). Treatment outcomes evaluated therapeutic effectiveness before and at 1, 3, and 6 weeks after PRP injection and CPT initiation. RESULTS Subjects in both groups showed a significant decrease in the visual analogue scale score for pain and shoulder and hand scores, and they a significant increase in shoulder passive range of motion at all evaluation time points. There was no significant difference in the measured outcomes between the two groups. However, there was less acetaminophen consumption after IA PRP injection compared with that after CPT. CONCLUSIONS IA PRP injection is a useful option for treating patients with AC, particularly those who have low therapeutic compliance for exercise therapy or have contraindications for corticosteroid injection or oral pain reduction medication.
3.
Intra-articular Injection of Tranexamic Acid Reduced Postoperative Hemarthrosis in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Randomized Study
Chiang ER, Chen KH, Wang ST, Ma HL, Chang MC, Liu CL, Chen TH
Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association. 2019
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients receiving arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS A total of 304 patients were included in this study, which was performed between August 2017 and April 2018. Single-bundle reconstructions using autologous hamstring tendon grafts were performed in all patients. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 patients (TXA group) received the index procedure with a 10-mL intra-articular injection of TXA (100 mg/mL). Group 2 patients (control group) received the index procedure without TXA injections. An intra-articular suction drain was placed in the joint and clamped for 2 hours after the procedure. The volume of drainage was recorded 24 hours after surgery. Clinical evaluations using the International Knee Documentation Committee functional score, range of motion, and a visual analog scale pain score were performed on day 3 and at week 4 postoperatively. RESULTS Twenty-four hours after surgery, a significant decrease in the amount of drainage was observed in patients receiving intra-articular injections (TXA group, 56.1 +/- 34.1 mL; control group, 80.1 +/- 48 mL; P < .05). On day 3 and at week 4, significantly reduced pain scores were reported in the TXA group. However, at week 4, clinical function scores did not show significant differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Intra-articular injection of TXA could significantly reduce postoperative intra-articular bleeding in the first 24 hours in patients receiving arthroscopic ACLR. TXA injection may also decrease pain and the grade of hemarthrosis in the early postoperative period. No systemic side effects or need for aspiration was noted during the follow-up period. Therefore, intra-articular injection of TXA could be considered an effective and relatively safe solution to reduce postoperative bleeding and pain in ACLR patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II, prospective comparative study.