title: Ultrasound-guided continuous suprascapular nerve block for adhesive capsulitis: one case and a short topical review.
abstract: We present a case with an ultrasound-guided (USG) placement of a perineural catheter beneath the transverse scapular ligament in the scapular notch to provide a continuous block of the suprascapular nerve (SSN). The patient suffered from a severe and very painful adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder secondary to an operation in the same shoulder conducted 20 weeks previously for impingement syndrome and a superior labral anterior-posterior tear. Following a new operation with capsular release, the placement of a continuous nerve block catheter subsequently allowed for nearly pain-free low impact passive and guided active mobilization by the performing physiotherapist for three consecutive weeks. This case and a short topical review on the use of SSN block in painful shoulder conditions highlight the possibility of a USG continuous nerve block of the SSN as sufficient pain management in the immediate post-operative period following capsular release of the shoulder. Findings in other painful shoulder conditions and suggestions for future studies are discussed in the text.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark. jbn@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Børglum
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartholdy
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hautopp
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Krogsgaard
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D002062:Bursitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000294:innervation; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography