Short-term benefit from ultrasonography-guided steroid injection for Achilles tendinopathy

 Short-term benefit from ultrasonography-guided steroid injection for Achilles tendinopathy

Question

Is the combination of physical therapy and an ultrasonography-guided corticosteroid injection safe and beneficial for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy?

Conclusion

This study found that the addition of an ultrasonography-guided corticosteroid injection to standard physical therapy for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy resulted in a significant improvement in the composite outcome of pain relief, increased function, and activity at 6 months compared with a placebo injection. However, pain during physical activity was not significantly improved with the steroid injection compared with the placebo at any time.

Reference

Johannsen F, Olesen JL, Ohlenschlager TF, et al. Effect of ultrasonography-guided corticosteroid injection vs placebo added to exercise therapy for Achilles tendinopathy. A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open 2022;5(7):e2219661

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