Comparison of Suprascapular Nerve Block vs Intra-Articular Injection for Adhesive Capsulitis .
Comparison of the treatment efficacy of suprascapular nerve block and intra-articular shoulder injection techniques in patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis.
PM R . 2025 May;17(5):505-512.Sixty patients with adhesive capsulitis were randomized to receive either a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB; n=30) or an intra-articular injection (IAI; n=30), both guided by ultrasonography and using identical injectates (1 mL triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg + 9 mL 0.5% bupivacaine). The primary outcome was the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes included shoulder range of motion (ROM) and visual analog scale (VAS) for current pain. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-injection. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant differences between groups in SPADI, ROM, or VAS at any time point, but both groups showed significant within-group improvements from baseline up to 12 weeks. These findings suggest that both SSNB and IAI are similarly effective and safe for improving pain and function in patients with adhesive capsulitis.
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