Subacromial Steroid Injection Is Safe and Effective in Patients with Persistent Painful Stiffness after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: a Level III Retrospective Cohort Study in Korea
10.5763/kjsm.2025.43.1.30
- Author:
Ajay WANKHADE
1
;
Hyeon Jang JEONG
;
Young Ki MIN
;
Ji Hyun YEO
;
Je Kyun KIM
;
Joo Han OH
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
- Publication Type:Clinical Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine
2025;43(1):30-36
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Persistent postoperative stiffness is a common complication after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).We hypothesized that a subacromial steroid injection (SAI) may improve the early outcomes in patients with persistent stiffness without increasing steroid-associated complications. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of SAI in patients with persistent stiffness 3 months after ARCR.
Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 300 ARCR cases performed between January 2012 and May 2014, in which repair integrity was confirmed at postoperative 3 months. Patients were divided into SAI and control groups. The SAI group received a single SAI (triamcinolone 40 mg and ropivacaine 52.5 mg) to address postoperative stiffness, with no additional SAI thereafter. The control group did not receive any injections until the final follow-up. Functional and radiological outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results:The mean follow-up period was 18.1±4.7 months (range, 12.1–37.2 months), with no difference between groups (p=0.731). At the time of injection, the range of motion was significantly lower in the SAI (all p＜0.001). However, functional outcomes were comparable between the two groups at 3 months after injection and the final follow-up (all p＞ 0.05). The healing failure rate at the final follow-up also did not differ between the SAI and control groups (14.9% vs. 13.2%, p=0.671).
Conclusion:This short-term follow-up study suggests that the administration of a single SAI to treat persistent stiffness at 3 months after ARCR may improve functional recovery without increasing the risk of healing failure.
