As concluded from a study in Journal of Elbow and Shoulder Surgery, single cortisone injection portrayed statistically and clinically relevant improvements in shoulder function and pain for almost 4 months after the use of injection in patients suffering from glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA).

Due to limited information on the efficacy of cortisone injection for GHOA, the amount and longevity of pain relief offered by a single cortisone injection are uncertain. Cameron M. Metzger and investigators illustrate relief offered by a single, image-guided glenohumeral injection for GHOA. Also, patients with more critical radiographic GHOA and poorer shoulder function at baseline were assumed to require secondary intervention in advance.

The patients suffering from symptomatic GHOA to receive a corticosteroid injection for pain relief were registered for the study. The telephonic interview was conducted to note baseline Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and VAS scores before the injection, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months.

For assessment, patients were categorized by their corresponding OSS as mild, moderate/severe and Samilson-Prieto radiographic classification as mild, moderate, severe at baseline. Thirty shoulders (29 patients) were investigated out of which 52% of patients were men with an average age of 66.1 years. Between the groups, no substantial difference was seen in overall survival (described as no additional intervention) as per either OSS or Samilson-Prieto grades.

At each follow-up, OSS and VAS scores were compared to baseline. A clinically noteworthy difference was observed between baseline and months 1 to 4 for OSS and; between baseline and months 1 to 4, 6,9, and 12 for VAS. No differences in the requirement for secondary interventions in this population as per the severity of either the OSS or Samilson-Prieto radiographic classification was found.

Nevertheless, as per OSS, the patients with more severe shoulder dysfunction had a statistically significant superior symptomatic relief than with milder type.