Rheumatology international
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Tomography-guided palisade sacroiliac joint radiofrequency neurotomy versus celecoxib for ankylosing spondylitis: a open-label, randomized, and controlled trial.
Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common symptom in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Palisade sacroiliac joint radiofrequency neurotomy (PSRN) is a novel treatment for the SIJ pain. In the current clinical trial, we treated AS patients with significant SIJ pain using PSRN under computed tomography guidance and compared the results with the celecoxib treatment. ⋯ Gastrointestional irritation was more frequent in the celecoxib arm than in the PSRN arm (P < 0.05). No severe complications were noted in either arm. PSRN is both efficacious and safe in managing SIJ pain in patients with AS.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the therapeutic effects of intramuscular subscapularis and scapulothoracic bursa injections in patients with scapular pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Scapulothoracic bursitis contributes to considerable morbidity in some patients with scapular pain. A scapulothoracic bursa injection can induce symptomatic relief; however, blind injections into the scapulothoracic bursa may involve injecting into the subscapularis muscle itself. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of intramuscular injections into the subscapularis under ultrasound (US) guidance with those of blind scapulothoracic bursa injections in patients with scapular pain. ⋯ However, no significant difference was observed between intramuscular injection into the subscapularis and the scapulothoracic bursa injection. No serious complications were encountered. In conclusion, injections at the scapulothoracic bursa without US guidance did not exclude the possibility of an effect of steroid on the subscapularis muscle, as both intramuscular injections into the subscapularis and scapulothoracic bursa injections in patients with scapular pain provided equal symptomatic relief, and all patients developed tenderness in their subscapularis muscle.