Proximal Approach of Ultrasound-guided Suprascapular Nerve Block: Comparison with Subacromial Steroid Injection

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate early clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) using a proximal approach, as compared with subacromial steroid injection (SA). METHODS: This retrospective study included a consecutive series of 40 patients of SSNB and 20 patients receiving SA, from August 2017 to August 2018. The visual analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon’s score (ASES), University of California, Los Angeles score (UCLA), the 36 health survey questionnaire mental component summary (SF36-MCS), physical component summary (PCS), and range of motion (forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation) were assessed for clinical evaluations. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, VAS, and ranges of motion in the SSNB group significantly improved at the 4-week follow-up (VAS scores improved from 6.7 ± 1.6 to 4.3 ± 2.4, p<0.001; all ranges of motion p<0.05), while other variables showed no statistically significant differences. All clinical variables were significantly improved in the SA group (p<0.05). However, all clinical scores at the 4-week follow-up showed no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided SSNB using proximal approach provides significant pain relief at 4-weeks after treatment, with statistically significant difference when compared with SA, suggesting that SSNB using proximal approach is a potentially useful option in managing shoulder pain. However, in the current study, it was less effective in improving shoulder function and health-related quality of life, compared with SA.