ObjectiveTo detect the value of ultrasound-guided steroids injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.MethodsThirty-eight physical therapy ineffective plantar fasciitis patients were enrolled in this study, and randomly divided into ultrasound-guided and palpation-guided groups. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and plantar fasciitis were evaluated by high frequency ultrasound including assessment of the thickness before injection and at 4 weeks, 12 weeks post injection.ResultsThirty-eight patients who received either ultrasound guided or palpation-guided injection had significantly lower visual analog scale scores and lower plantar fascia thickness (bothP<0.01) at 4 weeks, 12 weeks post injection. The differences in plantar fascia thickness, VAS score between the two groups before, and at the 4 weeks follow-up were not statistically significant [2.52±0.77vs 2.68±0.82,P>0.05; (4.56±0.25) mmvs (4.72±0.38) mm, P>0.05]. However, the ultrasound guided group had lower mean visual analog scale score (1.47±0.77vs 2.37±0.68,P<0.01) and lower mean plantar fascia thickness [(4.02±0.24) mmvs (4.53±0.35) mm,P<0.01] than the palpation-guided group at 12 weeks post injection. The calcification of the plantar fascia at 12 weeks post injection in ultrasound guided group was completely disappeared or significantly decreased.ConclusionUltrasound-guided injection for treating plantar fasciitis is more accurate and effective than palpation-guided injection, and is of great clinical value for both patients and doctors.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided (US-guided) subacromial bursa injection of betamethasone combined with hyaluronate for treatment of subacromial bursitis.MethodsA total of 72 patients who were diagnosed as subacromial bursitis by ultrasound and then decided to performed US-guided subacromial bursa injection were randomly divided into two groups. The study group was treated with compound betamethasone suspension followed by sodium hyaluronate, and the control group was treated only with compound betamethasone suspension. Visual analogue score (VAS) and the shoulder active abduction range of motion (AAROM) score were observed before treatment, 1 week and 4 weeks post-treatment during 1 month's followed-up.ResultsThere were signifi cantly decreased in VAS score and increased in AAROM score at 1 week and 4 weeks post treatment for both groups (bothP<0.05). There was no difference of both VAS score and AAROM score between the two groups at 1 week post treatment (bothP>0.05). But at 4 weeks post treatment, the VAS score of the study group was signifi cantly lower than that of the control group (2.08±1.95vs 3.14±2.0,P<0.05), while the AAROM score of the study group was signifi cantly higher than that of the control group (7.12±2.10vs 6.11±1.93,P<0.05). ConclusionsUltrasound-guided subacromial bursa injection of betamethasone combined with hyaluronate is effective in treating subacromial bursitis. It produces better pain and active abduction functional improvement than betamethasone at a short-term follow-up.

Objective To detect the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension for treatment of frozen shoulder.Methods Fifty-two patients diagnosed as frozen shoulder by physical and ultrasound examination were performed the ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension.Finally,48 patients completed the continuously three times'treatment were included in this study.Patients were assessed using Visual Analogy Score(VAS),the influence of sleeping and the Active Range of Motion(AROM)at the beginning of each time's treatment and at 2 weeks after the third treatment in order to compare the effectiveness of each time's treatment.Results The pain and sleeping influence of the first treatment were significantly improved compared with before treatment(all P <0.05),but the AROM was not significantly improved(P >0.05).The pain,sleeping influence and AROM of the second treatment were significantly improved by comparing with the first treatment respectively(all P <0.05).The pain and AROM of the third treatment were further improved than the second treatment(all P <0.05).However there was no significant improvement of sleeping influence for the third treatment(P >0.05).Conclusions The pain,sleeping influence and AROM of frozen shoulder patients are significantly improved after the treatment of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint injection combined with distension for continuous three times,which is an effective treatment for frozen shoulder.