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STUDY: Physiotherapy and local steroid injections were of similar effectiveness for treating new episodes of unilateral shoulder pain
JOURNAL: Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:385-387, 394-399
ABSTRACT: Steroid injection or physical therapy offers similar outcomes for the treatment of acute unilateral shoulder pain.
COMMENTARY: Community physiotherapy and local steroid injections were of similar effectiveness for treating new episodes of unilateral shoulder pain in primary care, but those receiving physiotherapy had fewer co-interventions.
Although the reasons for lower reconsultation rate during follow-up in the physical therapy group are unclear, the authors noted that it reduced their workload with no change in overall patient outcome.
They recommend that patients and clinicians deciding on acute treatment for shoulder problems consider personal preference, availability of physical therapy and/or of doctors trained in injection, need for cointerventions, and concerns about the long-term effectiveness of steroid injections.