The role of ultrasound guided peri-tendinous injection in the treatment of non-calcific tendinopathy

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of the percutaneous ultrasound guided peri-tendinous injection in improving or treating non-calcific tendinopathy.Patients and methodsBetween January 2012 and March 2014, 25 patients with non calcific tendinosis were treated by ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection. All patients underwent pre-treatment diagnostic ultrasound, as well as assessment of the pain and disability of the affected area through a self-answered questionnaire. Reevaluation of the ultrasound changes and clinical response as regard the pain and disability score on regular follow up visits, were done at the 1st, 3rd and 6th month posttreatment.ResultsAccording to the results of this study, there was statistically marked reduction in patients pain and disability score, with reduction of the mean pain score from maximum 3 points pre-treatment to 0.5 post-treatment, and mean disability score form 1.5 point pre-treatment to 0 point at the 6th month follow up visit. The clinical success rate was 87%, with a technical success rate of 100%.ConclusionUltrasound is a non invasive imaging technique that allows real time guidance for interventional therapy of non-calcific tendinopathy improving the result of peri-tendinous corticosteroid injection.