Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Research

Subacromial ultrasound guided or systemic steroid injection for rotator cuff disease: randomised double blind study

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a3112 (Published 23 January 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:a3112

Rapid Response:

Impingement symptom relief

I have read with interest 'Subacromial ultrasound guided or systemic
steroid injection for rotator cuff disease: randomised double blind study'
by Ekeberg et al.

No differences were found in the 2 groups. It is hardly surprising as
both groups (local and systemic) recieved ultrasound guided lidocaine
injections into subacromial region. By this intervention, I am sure both
groups are going to benefit from relief of impingement symptoms. We all
know that injections lead to only short term relief of symptoms.

Overall, this study, though very well thought out, has not
contributed anything new to our knowledge.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

01 February 2009
Prasad S Pidikiti
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching hospitals NHS Trust