What is a suprascapular nerve block?
A suprascapular nerve block is an injection of local anaesthetic and steroid near the suprascapular nerve. The suprascapular nerve is formed from nerve fibres from the C4, C5, and C6 nerve roots, and it supplies feeling to the shoulder.
Why would a suprascapular nerve block be performed?
A suprascapular nerve block may be performed if you are experiencing pain in the suprascapular and shoulder joint areas. Shoulder pain is common in the community, affecting 15–30% of adults at any one time. Causes include degenerative disease affecting the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints and supporting soft tissue structures (mainly rotator cuff) and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, and crystal arthropathies.
How is the procedure performed?
You will be placed on the procedure table. The injection site is sterilized with either iodine or chlorhexidine. The site to be injected is numbed with a local anaesthetic, and a needle is directed to the target area. X-ray guidance is used to ensure proper placement and positioning of the needle. When the needle is properly positioned near the suprascapular nerve, local anaesthetic is injected to numb that nerve. Patients who experience a 50% reduction or more in pain symptoms from the suprascapular nerve block may be suitable for suprascapular nerve ablation (pulsed radiofrequency treatment). This is likely to provide pain relief for up to 12-18 months.
Will the procedure be painful?
The injection can be painful and we therefore patients receive light IV sedation. IV sedation, combined with local anaesthetic, can make the injection nearly pain free.
What are the discharge instructions?
If you received IV sedation do not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after the procedure. You may return to work the next day following your procedure. You may resume your normal diet immediately. Do not engage in any strenuous activity for 24 hours. You should, however, engage in moderate activity that typically causes your usual pain. If the block works, those activities should not be painful for up to hours after the injection. Call the office if you have any of the following: severe pain afterwards (different than your usual symptoms), redness/swelling/discharge at the injection site(s), fevers/chills, difficulty with bowel or bladder functions.
What are possible complications from the procedure?
This procedure does come with risks. Complications that can occur include but are not limited to intravascular injection, local anaesthetic toxicity, pneumothorax, infection, and reaction to the steroid medication.
