Subacromial bursitis is associated with short-term response to ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in rotator cuff disorders

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of subacromial bursitis on the outcomes of ultrasound (US) -guided subacromial corticosteroid injections in patients with rotator cuff disorders (RCD). METHODS: This single-center observational study included 55 adult patients diagnosed with RCD who underwent US-guided subacromial corticosteroid injections. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of subacromial bursitis, as determined by ultrasound imaging. The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included changes in shoulder function (Constant-Murley Score, CMS), disability (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, SPADI), and shoulder range of motion (ROM). Comparative statistical analyses were conducted to assess pre- and post-injection changes between groups. CONCLUSION: Subacromial bursitis may be associated with a better short-term response to US-guided corticosteroid injections in RCD patients and could serve as a potential predictive marker for favorable outcomes. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term effects.