Treating frozen shoulder with ultrasound-guided pulsed mode radiofrequency lesioning of the suprascapular nerve: two cases.

OBJECTIVE: Many approaches to treatment of frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, including use of steroid injections, provide only short-term relief. We present a method for pulsed mode radiofrequency (PRF) lesioning of the suprascapular nerve using ultrasound guidance in patients with severe pain from frozen shoulder.

DESIGN: Patients with frozen shoulder were treated by using real-time, high-resolution ultrasound guidance to facilitate PRF lesioning of the suprascapular nerve.

SETTING AND PATIENTS: Two patients with frozen shoulder of a tertiary hospital were reported.

MEASURES: Pain intensity and shoulder movement before and after procedure were recorded. Results.  In the two cases presented, both patients experienced pain relief and increased shoulder flexibility for 5-6 months.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound can not only quickly and effectively identify the suprascapular notch and nerve, but also helps the operator manipulate and advance the needle to a more precise position.