Magnesium interscalene nerve block for the management of painful shoulder disorders

Shoulder pain is a common and distressing disorder. Systemic multimodal analgesia may be ineffective, but interscalene nerve block provides effective therapy. Magnesium may increase the efficacy and duration of systemic or regional analgesia. This case series examines the utility of magnesium interscalene nerve block for the management of painful shoulder disorders. Six elderly patients with shoulder pain and dysfunction received interscalene nerve block with injection of bupivacaine and magnesium. The patients subsequently reported significant improvement in sleep, shoulder pain, and physical function for 16 weeks. This report highlights that magnesium interscalene nerve block provides safe, effective, and prolonged shoulder analgesia.