We hypothesize that local ultrasound guided injection with corticosteroid and local anaesthetic are effective on the symptoms of GTPS.
The greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a frequent soft tissue syndrome which is often not recognised by medical practitioners. Currently, there is no validated definition of this syndrome and it is classically defined as pain and tenderness in the region of the greater trochanter that may radiate down to the postero-lateral aspect of the thigh and may mimic nerve root compression. The prevalence of GTPS amongst adult patients referred to a spine clinic for chronic low back pain (LBP) has been reported to be 20-35%. In addition to pain, GTPS induces functional disability which at times may profoundly interfere with patients' daily activities. The diagnosis of GTPS is suspected in a patient complaining of lateral hip pain. The reproduction of typical pain on palpation of the posterior part of the greater trochanter is the only well recognised clinical sign, although other clinical signs have been described. As is frequently the case with these type of syndromes, the physiopathology of GTPS is probably a mixture of several musculoskeletal problems, among which trochanteric bursitis and gluteus medius (GMe) tendinosis are the most frequently cited. MRI studies have demonstrated GMe tendinosis or tears in patients with GTPS and MRI is used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of GTPS in many studies. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) is of increasing interest among rheumatologists. It readily demonstrates soft tissue lesions, fluid collections, allows dynamic examination and the undertaking of ultrasound guided procedures. GMe and gluteus minus (GMi) tendinopathy or tears as well as bursitis can be clearly demonstrated by ultrasound and US may guide steroid injection for the treatment of GMe tendinopathy. However, to date no study has compared the utility of MRI compared to US. There are very few well-performed studies regarding the treatment of GTPS. Although poorly studied, analgesics and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used as first line therapy. The duration of therapy required with these oral agents is unknown and there are significant potential side-effects from these treatments. The vast majority of patients referred to secondary or tertiary centres have failed these oral therapies. Some authors advocate physiotherapy (massage or stretching) but once again, there is no strong evidence to support this approach. Thus, most patients are treated with an injection of a combination of steroids and local anaesthetic. However, there is no convincing evidence in the literature that this practice is effective. The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) has been shown to improve the accuracy of corticosteroid injections for many joints and extra-articular structures such as bursa and tendon sheaths. Although small observational studies have suggested that local corticosteroid injection may be effective in the short term, no prospective controlled study has been carried out to establish the efficacy of this common intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
46
lidocaine (Rapidocain(R)): 4ml of 1% Lidocaine bethametasone (Diprophos): 1ml ampoule (containing 5mg/ml dipropionate de betamethasone and 2mg/ml phosphate disodique de betamethasone)
Placebo = 5ml of sterile saline solution
University Hospital, Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland
The efficacy of ultrasound-guided injection with corticosteroid and local anaesthetic for GTPS.
Difference in pain intensity in the lateral hip region at 4 weeks between the 2 treatment groups, as measured by a NRS. Because the timing of the response to an infiltration is not well established we plan to examine pain both at 4 weeks, as well as longitudinally over 4 weeks(evolution of pain over time).
Time frame: 4 weeks
Number of "responders"
Number of "responders" (defined as a reduction in NRS ≥ 1.5)at 4 weeks and at 6 months.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Number of patients with "low residual disease activity"
Number of patients with "low residual disease activity" (defined as NRS ≤ 2.0)at 4 weeks and at 6 months.
Time frame: 4 weeks
PGI patient
Patient Global Assessment
Time frame: 4 weeks
Lumbar spine function
Lumbar spine function measured with the Oswestry questionnaire at 4 weeks and at 6 months
Time frame: 4 weeks
Hip joint function
Hip joint function (Womac questionnaire)at 4 weeks and 6 months
Time frame: 4 weeks
QoL
Quality of life (SF-12)at 4 weeks and 6 months
Time frame: 4 weeks
Requirement for oral analgesics
Recording patient requirements for analgesics at weekly intervals following the intervention
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Time frame: 4 weeks
Side effects of the intervention
Clinical side effects - patients will be questioned specifically with respect to certain side-effects potentially linked to the injection technique and /or the injected substances. Any other side-effects cited by the patient will be recorded appropriately. Ultrasound-measured side-effects: hematoma, GMe or GMi tear, tendinosis or calcification post-intervention that had not been visualised on the initial US prior to the first injection. Measured at 4 weeks and at 6 months
Time frame: 4 weeks