Compound betamethasone in the treatment of pain after supraspinatus tendon repair

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of compound betamethasone on pain points of the supraspinatus tendon by local blocking therapy after repair surgery. METHODS: This non-randomised controlled trial included patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of supraspinatus tendon tears and who had long-term pain. At 3 months following surgery, patients were assigned to an experimental group, whose pain points were treated with compound betamethasone, or a control group who did not receive compound betamethasone. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Constant shoulder score for pain were determined at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months following surgery and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 38 included patients, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in VAS score, PSQI or Constant shoulder scores at 3 months following surgery. At 4, 5 and 6 months after surgery, the VAS score and PSQI were significantly lower, and the Constant shoulder score was significantly higher, in the experimental group versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: Using compound betamethasone to locally block pain points after supraspinatus tendon repair surgery may significantly alleviate pain, improve sleep quality, facilitate functional shoulder exercise and achieve good shoulder function.