Background & Aims

The Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is frequently used to treat chronic shoulder pain. The nerve blockade provides probably only a short-term relief, and more compelling approaches have been investigated. Pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) stimulation of Suprascapular nerve has been reported as safe and reliable method for pain treatment. However, formal efficacy study for pRF stimulation of the shoulder joint has not been published.

Methods

This study was designed as a randomized active controlled blind trial. Participants were followed during 6 months, and multiple subjective and objective outcome variables were recorded. Patients were randomly allocated for SSNB (n=50), for Suprascapular nerve pRF stimulation (n=50) or for both Suprascapular nerve and Humeroscapular joint pRF stimulation (n=50). All patients received standardized physical therapy at the unit.

Results

Pulsed radiofrequency of Humeroscapular joint showed to have favorable effects on both pain and active shoulder flexion movement compared to pRF stimulation of Suprascapular nerve or SSNB only. No significant differences occurred between the group treated with Suprascapular nerve blockade and the group treated with pRF of Suprascapular nerve.

Conclusions

Our study showed equal outcome for SSNB and Suprascapular nerve pRF treatment. However, Humeroscapular joint pRF seem to improve pain and shoulder flexion active ROM more than Suprascapular nerve treatment alone. PRF can be performed in an outpatient department and provides the clinician with an alternative or additional approach to oral drug treatment and intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Furthermore, it may prove to be a useful treatment for patients who are unfit or unwilling to consider surgical intervention.

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Presenting Author

Aet Ristmägi

Poster Authors

Hannu Heikkilä

MD

Satasairaala

Lead Author

Topics

  • Treatment/Management: Interventional Therapies – Injections/Blocks