Clinical Research Directory

Dextrose prolotherapy injections were administered at baseline, week 3, and week 6 using an ultrasound-guided anatomical marking technique. A 15% dextrose solution was prepared using 30% dextrose, saline, and 1% lidocaine. Extra-articular injections were administered with a 27-gauge needle using the peppering technique at five previously marked anatomical points, including the long head of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove, the subscapularis insertion at the lesser tuberosity, the supraspinatus insertion at the greater tuberosity, the infraspinatus insertion at the greater tuberosity, and the coracoid process region. One milliliter was injected at each point. Subacromial injection was performed via a posterior approach using a 21-gauge needle, and 4 mL of solution was injected into the subacromial bursa. All participants also received a standardized home-based exercise program.

Lidocaine-saline injections were administered at baseline, week 3, and week 6 using the same ultrasound-guided anatomical marking technique and anatomical targets as the prolotherapy group. Extra-articular injections were prepared using saline and 1% lidocaine and were administered superficially at approximately 0.5-1 cm depth using a 26-gauge needle at five previously marked sites to mimic the prolotherapy injection procedure. One milliliter was injected at each site. Subacromial injection was performed via a posterior approach using a 21-gauge needle, and 4 mL of lidocaine-saline solution was injected into the subacromial bursa. All participants also received a standardized home-based exercise program.