Efficacy of a single, image-guided corticosteroid injection for glenohumeral arthritis

The efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid injections for elbow arthritis: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to report the duration of pain relief and need for subsequent surgical intervention following intra-articular steroid injection of the elbow in the setting of arthritis.

METHODS

The authors' institutional database was accessed to identify patients who underwent a corticosteroid injection of the elbow for arthritis. For included patients, demographic information, steroid dosage, duration of symptoms relief, complications, and progression to surgical management were recorded. A chi-squared or Fisher exact test was utilized for categorical variables while a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or Wilcoxon ranked sum test was utilized for continuous variables as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There were 67 patients included in the study who underwent between one and 14 injections. Patients experienced some degree of pain relief 80% of the time for an average of 12.5 (range 0-64) weeks after their first injections. There was only one documented complication following steroid injection. Twenty-one (7.9%) patients ultimately underwent surgical intervention for their elbow arthritis. Younger age was associated with progression to surgical intervention (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroid injections to the elbow are an effective method of pain control in patients with elbow arthritis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Effectiveness of nonoperative treatment in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis: a prospective cohort study

Background

There is limited evidence supporting the use of nonoperative strategies in the treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). Recent clinical practice guidelines have stated that it is unclear whether nonoperative management of GHOA would produce a clinically important difference in pain or function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and to identify factors that could predict which patients would undergo total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

Methods

62 patients with primary GHOA were recruited. Patients could choose to receive or refuse different nonoperative modalities, including physical therapy (PT) and corticosteroid injections, based on their preference. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months to evaluate treatment response. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic characteristics were compared between patients who failed and did not fail nonoperative management. Failure was defined as having undergone TSA.

Results

14 (23%) patients who initially attempted nonoperative management underwent TSA at 7.7 months (range, 1.6-25.2 months). In patients who continued nonoperative management, only 19 (31%) patients met the minimum clinical important difference and 26 (42%) patients achieved patient acceptable symptom state. There was no significant difference in the change in ASES score between patients who did and did not undergo PT (P = .524). A lack of belief in PT (HR = 33.6 [95% CI: 5.26-214], P < .001), decrease in ASES score (HR = 6.25 [95% CI: 2.04-20.0], P = .001]), female sex (HR = 5.38 [95% CI: 1.31-22.1], P = .020), and lower resilience (HR = 7.14 [95% CI: 1.78-33.3], P = .006) were independently associated with failure of nonoperative treatment. Patients who received at least one glenohumeral corticosteroid injection (HR = 0.16 [95% CI: 0.04-0.67], P = .012) or had more joint space remaining (HR = 0.22 [95% CI: 0.06-0.80], P = .021) had a decreased risk of failure.

Conclusions

Approximately, 30% of patients with GHOA who chose their nonoperative treatment regimen had clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms. Despite this, patients elected to undergo TSA less than 25% of the time at short-term follow-up. PT was not beneficial in the treatment of GHOA. Screening questionnaires that evaluate a patient's belief in PT and resilience could potentially be used to identify which patients will fail nonoperative treatment.

Appropriateness of prior authorization requirements for total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Total shoulder arthroplasty has become increasingly utilized for managing glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA), with procedure rates expected to rise. Consequently, there has been a surge in prior authorization (PA) requests for total shoulder arthroplasty, imposing a substantial administrative burden and highlighting the need for physician advocates to challenge the current PA system. A notable PA requirement is preoperative physical therapy (PT), a treatment modality for GHOA that has not been extensively studied and is not endorsed by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgery as necessary for the treatment for GHOA.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and Medline, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Our search focused on studies with level IV evidence or higher that examined the efficacy preoperative PT for patients with GHOA.

RESULTS

We found 210 studies of which 3 met our inclusion criteria. Our results were mixed, with 2 of the 3 studies supporting the use of preoperative PT. Only one study employed a randomized controlled trial design, underscoring the need for more high-quality studies in this area.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that there is limited evidence for the benefit of preoperative PT in GHOA. This contradicts the current PA requirements which require patients to undergo preoperative PT to receive coverage for treatment. This review highlights the need for physician engagement in advocacy efforts to challenge these current requirements and improve patient care.

Pharmacologic interventions for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT

Primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis is a multifactorial condition with a complex cause that affects patients across different age groups, impairing physiologic and psychologic well-being, and substantially reducing patient quality of life and overall productivity. To effectively manage this condition, healthcare providers need to be well informed about treatment guidelines, as well as the available therapeutic options and the evidence supporting their use. Nonsurgical interventions should be regarded as the primary treatment option, particularly for patients in the initial phases of this condition. No conclusive guidelines exist for treating young and active patients, and the literature lacks high-quality data to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term consequences of several interventions, regardless of patient characteristics and expectations.

The safety of corticosteroid injection prior to shoulder arthroplasty: A systematic review

Introduction

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are frequently utilised in patients with glenohumeral arthritis for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A systematic review was performed to assess the relationship between prior corticosteroid injection and infection following shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods

A search was performed, using databases Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL. Studies with comparative data of post-arthroplasty infection following previous corticosteroid injection versus controls were included.

Results

Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprising 87,820 patients. On pooled analysis, previous steroid injection did not increase the overall risk of infection (risk ratio 1.17; confidence interval 1.00-1.37, p = 0.06). On subgroup analysis for timing of injection, one given within 3 months before arthroplasty conferred a greater risk of infection than no injection (risk ratio 2.30; confidence interval 1.13-4.69, p = 0.02) or one given between 3 and 12 months before arthroplasty (risk ratio 3.32; confidence interval 1.43-7.72, p = 0.005). An injection at 3 to 12 months before arthroplasty did not increase the risk of infection over controls (risk ratio 0.89; confidence interval 0.63-1.25, p = 0.50).

Conclusions

This review has found there to be a time-dependent relationship between prior corticosteroid injection and infection post-arthroplasty, with an increased risk when performed within three months before arthroplasty. Thus, an interval of at least three months is recommended between injection and arthroplasty.

Osteoarthritis: Insights into Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Avenues, and the Potential of Natural Extracts

Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as a prevalent and progressively debilitating clinical condition globally, impacting joint structures and leading to their gradual deterioration through inflammatory mechanisms. While both non-modifiable and modifiable factors contribute to its onset, numerous aspects of OA pathophysiology remain elusive despite considerable research strides. Presently, diagnosis heavily relies on clinician expertise and meticulous differential diagnosis to exclude other joint-affecting conditions. Therapeutic approaches for OA predominantly focus on patient education for self-management alongside tailored exercise regimens, often complemented by various pharmacological interventions primarily targeting pain alleviation. However, pharmacological treatments typically exhibit short-term efficacy and local and/or systemic side effects, with prosthetic surgery being the ultimate resolution in severe cases. Thus, exploring the potential integration or substitution of conventional drug therapies with natural compounds and extracts emerges as a promising frontier in enhancing OA management. These alternatives offer improved safety profiles and possess the potential to target specific dysregulated pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis, thereby presenting a holistic approach to address the condition's complexities.

Perioperative steroid injection in elbow arthroscopy

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of infection after perioperative intra-articular steroid injection during elbow arthroscopy. Starting from May 2019, we prospectively included all patients that underwent an elbow arthroscopy for various indications. All patients received preoperative antibiotics intravenously and a corticosteroid injection immediately after portal closure. Patients who needed ligamentous repair and aged below 18 years old were excluded. Final follow up of all patients was 3 months. In total, 108 elbow arthroscopies were performed in 100 patients. No major complications and 1 minor complication were seen. One patient developed a seroma that resolved spontaneously after 14 days without intervention or antibiotics. In this patient group, a perioperative corticosteroid injection following elbow arthroscopy did not increase the chance of infection.

The effect of pre-operative shoulder injections on post-operative opioid use, infection and revision following shoulder arthroplasty

Background

Treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) may include conservative management with use of intraarticular injections, prior to considering total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The purpose of this study was to assess trends in the use of preoperative cortisone (CO) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, as well as investigate the relationship between injection use and infection or revision arthroplasty following TSA.

Methods

Pearl Driver was used to identify all patients undergoing TSA for GHOA between 2010 and 2018. Patients were categorized based on the type and number of injections they received. Outcomes of interest included post-operative opioid use, post-operative infection, and risk of revision surgery within 1 year of the index procedure.

Results

The incidence of patients receiving a CO or HA injections within 1 year of their TSA decreased by 83% and 54%, respectively. Patients who had received 1 or more steroid injections had higher odds of prolonged opiate use following surgery. Patients that received 1 or 2 CO injection prior to TSA had an increased risk of needing revision surgery.

Discussion

Use of intraarticular injections for the management of GHOA has declined. Patients receiving preoperative injections had increased odds of prolonged opiate use and the need for revision surgery.

The Recovery Curve of Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Primary Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis: Mid-term Results at a Minimum of 5 Years

Background

Excellent results have been reported for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). We aim to assess the recovery curve and longitudinal effects of time, age, sex, and glenoid morphology on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after primary anatomic TSA for primary GHOA.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary anatomic TSA over 5 years ago were included: Short-Form 12 Physical Component Summary, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Quick Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to model progression in PROs longitudinally. Unadjusted models and models controlling for sex and age were constructed.

Results

Eighty-one patients (91 shoulders) were included. Significant improvements from the preoperative period to 1 year postoperatively in the median American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (48 to 93; P < .001), Quick Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Score (42 to 11; P < .001), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (50 to 91; P < .001), and Short-Form 12 Physical Component Summary (35 to 53; P = .004) scores were noted. No significant decrease was observed for any of the outcome scores. Median satisfaction at the final follow-up was 10 out of 10. At 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years postoperatively, 77%, 64%, 79%, 57%, 86%, 56%, and 78% of patients, respectively, reported sports participation equal to or slightly below preinjury level. There was no association between the glenoid morphology and functional outcomes.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing anatomic TSA for primary GHOA showed excellent improvement in PROs and satisfaction in the first year, and these results were maintained postoperatively for a minimum of 5 years. Age- and sex-adjusted models or glenoid morphology did not substantially alter any trends in PROs postoperatively.