Efficacy of Intra-articular Injections for the Treatment of Primary Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis(GHOA)

Prospective, Double Blind, Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Intra-articular Injections for the Treatment of Primary Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid injections versus platelet-rich plasma injections for non-operative treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The efficacy of intra-articular injections, outside of hyaluronic acid, for the treatment of glenohumeral OA is not known, yet these treatments are commonly used with hopes of providing patients with symptomatic relief that can hopefully delay or prevent the need for shoulder arthroplasty. This study will help elucidate the therapeutic benefit of corticosteroid and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in this patient population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient ≥18y.o. of age
• Primary glenohumeral arthritis (bone on bone or near bone on bone) that has been previously diagnosed on radiographs and clinical evaluation.
• Baseline pain level of VAS >4

Exclusion Criteria:

• Secondary causes of arthritis (i.e. septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, post-traumatic arthritis)
• Ipsilateral shoulder surgery within 1 year
• Any glenohumeral joint injection within 3 months
• Allergy to lidocaine
• Known pregnancy
• Workers compensation case regarding shoulder