Patient succesfully treated with pulsed radiofrequency to the suprascapular nerve to treat shoulder pain

Patient succesfully treated with pulsed radiofrequency to the suprascapular nerve to treat shoulder pain

Left shoulder pain following locked posterior dislocation

I saw a 42 year old gentleman who had had problems with the left shoulder for many years. He had a locked posterior dislocation which failed to respond to a McLaughlin procedure. He remained dislocated and had a hemi-arthroplasty in 2007. His post operative course was complicated by urinary tract infections and he remained greatly troubled with pain in his left shoulder.

Pulsed radiofrequency to the suprascapular nerve to relieve shoulder pain

This gentleman underwent 6 suprascapular nerve blocks, which he found to be of some benefit. Following these, he was keen to get a more permanent solution and so he underwent pulsed radiofrequency to the left suprascapular nerve. The procedure was done using aseptic technique using pulsed radiofrequency at 42 degrees centigrade for 120 seconds. The cannula tip position was confirmed with nerve stimulation. The radiofrequency was followed by 10 mls of 0.5% Bupivacaine and 40 mg of Depo-Medrone after careful aspiration.

Pain relief following pulsed radiofrequency to the suprascapular nerve

This gentleman was reviewed exactly 2 months later in the Pain Clinic. We were very pleased to see that he has significantly improved. He has now gone back to work and has full function of the left arm. This gentleman was discharged from the clinic.