Suprascapular Nerve Block

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Original Editors - Lise De Wael

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Search Strategy

I used the medical databases ISI web of knowlodge and Pubmed to search for information about suprascapular nerve block. The keywords I used are suprascapular nerve block. The limits I used on pubmed are published in the last 5 years, English (languages), humans (species). The amount of available articles is 30. To refine the results on ISI I used published in the last 5 years, neurosciences & neurology, anatomy & morphology, surgery and healthcare sciences & services (subject areas), article (document types). The amount of available articles is 25.

Description

The suprascapular nerve innervates 70% of the shoulder joint. This means that it innervates the superior and posterior regions of the shoulder joint and capsule, but also the acromionclavicular joint. [10] [2] Suprascapular nerve block is an alternative therapy in reducing shoulder pain. The main goals of this therapy is to relieve pain and restore normal shoulder function. There are two techniques that can be used. Traditionally they used fluoroscopy and nerve stimulation plus computed tomographic guidance. In this technique they also divide the scapula in quadrants using the spina scapula as a diagonal and from the angulus inferior upwarts to bisect the diagonal.  Unfortunately this technique expose both patient and staff to radiation. The second technique uses ultrasound-guided-tracking. This technique has some positive points compared to the first technique. It is less expensive, more readily available, doesn’t expose patient and staff to radiation, it can show a real-time image and last but not least it can be done in a small operating room. Both the techniques doesn’t cause any neural damage. [9] [3]

Indication

This is a therapy that is more often used with elderly patients and only used when the patient have had shoulder for about 2 to 3 months. These patients have multiple medical comorbidities. Many of them even are unfit for anesthesia. So this is a therapy that lend itself well to this group of patients. [11] [1] [4]

Clinical Presentation

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Key Evidence

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Resources

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Case Studies

I found an article on pubmed describing two cases treated with suprascapular nerve block. [9]

References

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