Shoulder injections are used for diagnostic, as well as therapeutic purposes. The common substances injected include corticosteroids and hyaluronans. The most common injections used for shoulder pain include:

– Local anesthetics: To decrease inflammation and temporarily relieve pain in the shoulder, local anesthetics can be injected into the joint or muscle around the shoulder.

– Corticosteroids: These are strong anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling and inflammation. They are often used in conjunction with physiotherapy rehabilitation and other medications for a more lasting cure for many conditions, such as subacromial impingement syndrome, AC joint pathology, and inflammatory arthritides.

– Hyaluronans: These also have anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as coating pain receptors, stimulating endogenous synovial fluid production and lubrication effects. They seem to have a role in degenerative synovial joint disease where surgery is not indicated.

– Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) injections are two types of regenerative medicine treatments that have been used to treat shoulder pain. PRP and PRF are both derived from the patient’s own blood and contain growth factors that can help stimulate healing.

PRP injections are prepared by drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood and then processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. The resulting solution is then injected into the shoulder joint. PRF injections are similar to PRP injections, but they are prepared using a different method that results in a fibrin matrix that can help hold the platelets in place.

Shoulder injections can be performed ‘blind’ (without image guidance) in the clinical setting. The more trained and skilled the clinician is, the more reliable and accurate the injection. Image-guided injections are more accurate but also require a skilled clinician who is familiar with the technique and equipment.

It is important to note that the treatment plan for shoulder pain depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s medical history. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a medical professional before deciding on a treatment plan.