Subacromial Corticosteroid Injection Combined With Exercise in Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluates the effects of a subacromial corticosteroid injection combined with a 12-week home-based exercise program in patients aged 18 to 60 years with supraspinatus tendinopathy. A total of 56 participants will be randomized into two groups. The intervention group will receive an ultrasound-guided subacromial-subdeltoid injection of 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide plus saline, while the placebo group will receive an ultrasound-guided intramuscular saline injection into the deltoid. Both groups will follow the same 12-week exercise program. The primary outcome is the change in supraspinatus tendon elasticity measured by shear wave elastography. Secondary outcomes include pain, shoulder function, disability, and quality of life assessed using VAS, Constant-Murley Score, QuickDASH, SPADI, and SF-12.