Can shoulder periarthritis be treated with corticosteroid injections?

As people age, the body’s capacity for functional repair gradually declines—most notably in the shoulders and neck. Individuals who engage in prolonged physical labor may also experience shoulder discomfort. The most common shoulder condition is adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). So, can patients with adhesive capsulitis receive corticosteroid injections (“block injections”)?

Can patients with adhesive capsulitis receive corticosteroid injections?

Yes, patients with adhesive capsulitis may receive corticosteroid injections. Since adhesive capsulitis is a sterile inflammatory condition primarily characterized by shoulder pain that impairs mobility, corticosteroid injections serve mainly as an analgesic treatment. They help relax shoulder musculature, promote softening and loosening of tissues, accelerate muscle metabolism, enhance muscular strength, and thereby reduce clinical symptoms. These injections must be administered by a qualified orthopedic specialist to ensure accurate placement and avoid injury to surrounding structures. Following injection therapy, patients should actively engage in shoulder joint functional exercises—such as pendular or arc-like movements—to increase the range of motion in the shoulder joint.

Patients with adhesive capsulitis may indeed receive corticosteroid injections. This treatment involves injecting medication directly into the affected area to control disease progression. Patients typically experience pronounced pain around the shoulder joint, resulting in restricted shoulder elevation—especially in advanced stages, when significant adhesions and contractures develop in the shoulder ligaments and joint capsule. Distinct tender points are commonly found around the shoulder joint, severely impairing daily functioning. Pain often intensifies at night or during weather changes. By administering corticosteroids via localized injection at these tender points, clinicians can effectively counteract the sterile inflammation associated with adhesive capsulitis, thereby alleviating pain and improving quality of life.

Patients are advised to follow a light, bland diet—avoiding spicy or irritating foods—and to abstain from smoking and alcohol consumption. If symptoms become severe, prompt medical evaluation is essential; subsequent treatment should be guided by a physician’s recommendations. Self-medication should be avoided to prevent disease progression. We hope this information proves helpful.