| Methods |
Randomised, controlled trial
Blinding: both participants and outcome assessors were blinded
Loss to follow‐up: 5(25%) patients in each group.
Appropriate statistical analysis: yes, intention to treat |
| Participants |
40 patients Inclusion criteria: "Rotator cuff tendonitis"
Painful arc between 40‐120 degrees abduction, shoulder pain less than 12 weeks duration, no signs of acute calcific tendinitis, no evidence of a systemic inflammatory arthritis or frozen shoulder
(defined as external rotation < 30 degrees, abduction <90 degrees)
Exclusion criteria:
active peptic ulcer disease, recent gastrointestinal bleed, contraindication to NSAIDS, evidence of symptomatic acromioclavicular arthritis or bicipitis tendinitis or major rotator cuff tear |
| Interventions |
Group 1 (20 patients): Subacromial injection of 40mg triamcinalone acetonide plus placebo indomethacin tablets 4x daily
Group 2 (20 patients): 25mg indomethacin 4x daily plus placebo (1cc saline) injection.
Repeat injection and refill of medication was given after 3 weeks, if necessary.
All patients were instructed to begin home exercise program of Codman pendulum exercies. 10‐15 min twice daily and slow shoulder abduction exerceises using finger‐up‐the‐wall technique. |
| Outcomes |
Assessed at baseline and 3 weeks (final assessment if prompt response) and 6 weeks (for remaining patients)
1) Day and night pain on 9cm VAS scales;
2) overall severity judged by patient on a 0‐3 point scale (0=none, 3=severe)
3) Range of abduction measured with a goniometer.
4) Physician's estimate of overall severity of pain and overall severity of motion deficit using 0‐3 point scales where 0=none and 3=severe.
5) global assessment score = sum of patient's and physician's estimate of severity of pain and severity of motion deficit (0 ‐ 9 points) |
| Notes |
See analyses 11. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
