Nine RCTs (number of participants unclear) were included in the review.
The included RCTs met between four and eight of the eight validity assessment criteria.
Four out of 6 RCTs reported a statistically significant improvement in pain on a visual analogue scale for patients receiving CSI, relative to controls. One reported night-time pain relief at 1 month, but no differences at 3 months.
Three out of 7 RCTs reporting range of motion found a statistically significant improvement, ranging from 14 to 45 degrees.
Two RCTs found no difference between CSI and control groups on measures of function. Of the 2 RCTs that did find a significant difference, one reported that this was not significant at the 3- month follow-up.
Among the 9 RCTs included, a single case of mild skin hypopigmentation at the site of injection was reported for CSI, with no complications reported in the control groups.