Subacromial corticosteroid injection versus subcutaneous 5% dextrose in patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy: A short-term randomized clinical trial

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare subcutaneous 5% dextrose versus subacromial corticosteroid injection for the treatment of chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy. METHODS: We carried out a randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups at a university hospital. Overall, 57 (32 women) were included in two groups of corticosteroid (n = 29) and dextrose (n = 28). The mean pain score was 6.6 (1.0). We used a visual analog scale for pain and goniometry for the range of motion. The measurements were repeated 1 month after the interventions. For corticosteroid, a single injection of triamcinolone and 1% lidocaine, and for dextrose, a mixture of 5% dextrose and 2% lidocaine three times weekly were prescribed. RESULTS: Both interventions were effective in decreasing pain compared to the baseline (both p < 0.001). The difference in pain between the two groups was nearly significant 1-month post-intervention (p = 0.052). The comparison of the two groups in considerable pain reduction (≥2.8) was in favor of dextrose (p = 0.046). The differences in the range of motion were not conclusive. None of the participants reported an important adverse effect. CONCLUSION: The 5% dextrose treatment is at least as effective as corticosteroid for reducing pain in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy.