Suprascapular nerve block is an effective treatment for chronic shoulder and upper back pain.
This procedure is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, bursitis and rotator cuff injuries, providing significant relief and improving patients’ quality of life.
At Clínica San Román’s Pain Management Unit, we specialize in applying this technique within a multidisciplinary and personalized approach, helping patients regain mobility and wellness.
What is the Suprascapular Nerve?
The suprascapular nerve is one of the main nerves responsible for motor control and sensation in the shoulder.
This nerve innervates the muscles that allow elevation and rotation of the shoulder, essential functions for daily mobility.
However, due to its anatomical pathway, the nerve can be affected by compression, inflammation or damage, resulting in chronic pain and muscle weakness.
Suprascapular Nerve Block Indications
Suprascapular nerve block is an ideal treatment for patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain who have not found relief with conservative treatments.
Common indications include:
- Shoulder arthritis: Chronic inflammation of the shoulder joints can cause severe pain and stiffness, affecting mobility.
- Rotator cuff injuries: Injuries to the tendons surrounding the shoulder can cause severe pain and difficulty moving the arm.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (a small sac of fluid that protects the joints) causes pain and limitations in the movement of the shoulder.
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): This condition drastically limits the shoulder’s range of motion due to inflammation of the joint tissues.
How Does Suprascapular Nerve Block Work?
Suprascapular nerve block is a procedure performed by injecting a local anesthetic and, in some cases, a corticosteroid into the area near the affected nerve.
The combination of the two drugs helps to temporarily block the transmission of pain signals to the brain and reduces inflammation in the surrounding tissues.
This provides prolonged pain relief and facilitates physical rehabilitation.
The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate needle placement.
The use of ultrasound allows the specialist to visualize the patient’s anatomy in real time, which minimizes the risks associated with the treatment and ensures that the injection is administered exactly in the affected area.
Suprascapular Nerve Block Benefits
Suprascapular nerve block offers a number of significant benefits for patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain, including:
- Rapid and lasting pain relief: Patients usually experience almost immediate relief after administration of the anesthetic, and in many cases, the effect can last for weeks or months.
- Reduction of inflammation: Administration of corticosteroids helps reduce inflammation in joint and periarticular structures, which contributes to longer relief.
- Improved mobility: By reducing pain and inflammation, patients can participate more actively in physical rehabilitation programs, accelerating functional recovery of the shoulder.
- Minimally invasive treatment: Unlike surgery, the suprascapular nerve block is an outpatient procedure that does not require prolonged recovery time.
- Avoid overuse of analgesics: This treatment can help patients reduce their dependence on pain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids, which reduces the risk of adverse side effects.
Procedure and Recovery
Suprascapular nerve block is a procedure that is usually performed in less than 30 minutes.
Prior to the injection, local anesthesia is applied to the area to avoid any discomfort during the procedure.
Using ultrasound guidance, the specialist introduces a fine needle to the vicinity of the suprascapular nerve and administers the anesthetic and corticosteroid mixture.
Most patients experience pain relief shortly after the procedure.
Depending on the nature of the condition being treated, relief may last for several weeks or even months.
In many cases, the block allows patients to participate in physical rehabilitation programs to improve shoulder strength and mobility, maximizing the benefits of treatment.
When to Repeat Suprascapular Nerve Block?
Suprascapular nerve block may be repeated if the pain returns after the effects of the injection have worn off.
The frequency with which this treatment is recommended will depend on the individual patient’s response as well as the underlying condition.
In some cases, the block may be part of a broader treatment plan that includes physical therapy, medication and other interventions.
Multidisciplinary Approach at San Roman Clinic
At Clínica San Román, pain treatment is approached from a multidisciplinary perspective.
In addition to the suprascapular nerve block, our pain specialists collaborate with physical therapists and physicians from other specialties to design a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.
This approach allows us to offer our patients the most advanced and effective solutions for chronic pain management, tailored to their specific needs and conditions.
Conclusion
Suprascapular nerve block is a minimally invasive and highly effective treatment to relieve chronic shoulder pain.
This procedure, combined with appropriate physical rehabilitation, can significantly improve the quality of life of patients, helping them to regain mobility and reduce their dependence on painkillers.
At Clínica San Román’s Pain Management Unit, we use this technique within a multidisciplinary and personalized approach to provide the best possible care for our patients.
If you suffer from chronic shoulder pain that limits your daily activities, do not hesitate to contact us for a specialized consultation to explore whether a suprascapular nerve block is right for you.
