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Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency for chronic shoulder pain: a prospective study
Rita Diogo Torgal Pinto1, Joana Manuela Tenreiro Pinto1, Maria C U Loureiro1
1Anesthesiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu E.P.E., Viseu, Portugal.
Background And Objectives:
Chronic shoulder pain is a frequent cause of suffering and impaired quality of life. Treatment includes non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies, and interventional procedures such as suprascapular nerve blocks and radiofrequency. This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency of suprascapular nerve for chronic shoulder pain in a clinical setting.
Methods:
Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through pain intensity using numeric pain rating scale at baseline, immediately, 3, and 6 months after, and patient...s motor function improvement. The secondary outcome was patient satisfaction.
Results:
A total of 34 patients were enrolled and all patients presented a reduction in the numeric pain rating scale immediately after treatment. Pain reduction from baseline to 6 months after the procedure was 34.4% and 36.9% static and dynamic, respectively. The median percentage reduction was statistically significant immediately, 3 and 6 months after. There was also an improvement in range of motion, 39.6% in abduction, 24.1% in flexion, and 29.5% in extension. Ninety percent of patients reported patient...s global impression of change superior to six.
Conclusion:
This study concludes that ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency of suprascapular nerve reduces pain intensity for at least 6 months, accompanied by improvement of motor function and higher levels of patients... satisfaction. Therefore, this technique represents a valid analgesic approach to chronic shoulder pain.
