Shoulder bursitis
Guided Injections.
Shoulder Bursitis: Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injections
Subacromial bursitis, often known as shoulder bursitis, is a common cause of shoulder pain and limited movement that can be treated with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections at The MSK Clinic Physio. This research-proven therapy effectively reduces inflammation, eases discomfort, and supports shoulder function recovery.
Shoulder bursitis: What Is It?
When the subacromial bursa, a little sac filled with fluid that lessens shoulder friction, becomes inflamed, shoulder bursitis results. Rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, and repetitive overhead motions are common causes of this ailment.
Common Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain when raising the arm
- Pain at night, mainly when resting on the afflicted shoulder
- Shoulder weakness and stiffness
- Tenderness over the outer shoulder
Advantages of Corticosteroid Injections Guided by Ultrasound
- Reduces inflammation in the subacromial bursa
- Offers quick pain relief, frequently in a matter of days
- Increases shoulder mobility, facilitating everyday tasks
- Boosts the efficacy of physiotherapy by easing discomfort
- Reduces risks because correct placement is ensured by ultrasound guidance.
Who Is Eligible for This Therapy?
- People with chronic shoulder discomfort that hasn’t improved with physical treatment
- Inflammation brought on by sports injuries or repetitive overhead activity
- Painful shoulder impingement syndromes can benefit from ultrasound-guided steroid injections.
- Ultrasound confirms subacromial bursitis.
Treatment options
Guided Corticosteroid Injections
For persistent pain, corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief.
Your Clinician
BSc Physiotherapy MSCP (Hons)
PGCert Independent Medical Prescriber
PGCert Soft Tissue and Joint Injection Therapist
PGCert Diagnostic Ultrasound
Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F. (2005). Corticosteroid injections for painful shoulder: a meta-analysis. The British Journal of General Practice, 55(512), 224–228.
Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. (2010). Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The Lancet, 376(9754), 1751–1767.
Mohamadi A, Chan JJ, Claessen FMAP, Ring D, Chen NC. (2017). Corticosteroid Injections Give Small and Transient Pain Relief in Rotator Cuff Tendinosis: A Meta-analysis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 475(1), 232–243.
Gaujoux-Viala C, Dougados M, Gossec L. (2009). Efficacy and safety of steroid injections for shoulder and elbow tendonitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 68(12), 1843–1849.
El-Sherif, S. M., Abdel-Hamid, M. M., Noureldin, J. M. A. M., Fahmy, H. M., & Abdel-Naby, H. M. A. (2023). Effectiveness of lyophilized growth factors injection for subacromial impingement syndrome: a prospective randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 18(1), 78.