As our Pain Doctors regularly explain, a Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is a safe and effective method to treat pain in chronic diseases that affect the shoulder. The technique consists of injecting anaesthetic in the supraspinatus fossa of affected shoulder, with the patient sitting down and upper limbs pending beside the body [1]
Putting a Spotlight on the Suprascapular Nerve
This particular nerve can be defined as: a mixed motor and sensory peripheral nerve that begins in the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It provides:
- Motor innervation to certain shoulder muscles, and
- Sensory innervation to various structures and joints within the shoulder area. (The word ‘peripheral’ is a directional term that relates to the location of a structure as being away from the centre of the body. An the word ‘innervation’, refers to “supplying nerves” or “stimulating.” When nerves are embedded into muscle fibre, they “innervate” the muscle fibres. This generally takes place in neuromuscular junctions and in simple contractions)
The Low-Down
The prevalence of patients who suffer from shoulder pain, are elderly, although it does affect a percentage of younger people. Here at the London Pain Clinic, our world-class Pain Consultants are very mindful that when patients experience pain in the shoulder, it disables those who have to deal with various musculoskeletal issues. Moreover, they known that this scenario can have a very negative impact on day to day living. And this is why, after you have had an in-person or online consultation, and received an accurate diagnosis, your Pain Doctor will devise a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan which may include multiple types of treatment, such as:
- Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and inflammation
- Corticosteroid injections into the joint in order to temporarily alleviate inflammation and pain
- Physiotherapy, and being taught exercises by our Specialist Physiotherapist
Here at the London Pain Clinic, we are known for our multidisciplinary approach to our patients’ treatment protocol. When appropriate, we adopt this strategy because a synergy of treatments may have a greater effect than singular treatments. Moreover, we strive to do everything we can to empower our patients to gain optimum health and well-being as soon as possible. – And this is one reason why our team of Pain Specialists are always abreast of the latest research and cutting-edge treatments.
Did You Know?
“Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) has been found effective and safe to treat pain created by chronic diseases, trauma, and surgery… that affect the shoulder. There have been studies showing that this method improves pain decrease, and range of motion (ROM) with patients who suffered an irrecoverable injury of rotator cuff, rheumatoid arthritis, calcific tendinitis, cancer, post-cerebrovascular accident, and adhesive capsulitis” [1]
Reasons Behind Chronic Shoulder Pain & Key Clinical Symptoms
Symptoms of Spinal Pain (Somatic Referred Pain/Radiculopathy)
- Dorsal scapular pain
- Pain distal to the elbow
- Reproduction of symptoms with neck movements
Instability
- Post-traumatic
- Atraumatic (overuse or hereditary multidirectional). This applies to: those with a history of dislocation, younger patients, repetitive overuse, generalised hypermobility, subluxation or shoulder dislocation. (Subluxation comes about when a bone is partially pushed out of place or pulled (out of its optimum relationship to the other bones which comprise a joint)
Long Head Bicep & Labral Pathology
- Affects younger to middle-aged patients
- Painful click or
- Mechanical catch
Subacromial Pain & Minor Rotator Cuff Disease (Small to Medium Full-Thickness Tear, Partial Tear, Tendinopathy, Calcific Tendonitis)
- Affects middle-aged to older patients
- Painful arc at the time of abduction
ACJ Arthropathy
- Affects patients of all ages
- Localised ACJ tenderness
Frozen Shoulder Contracture Syndrome
- Affects patients who are middle-aged
- Passive range of motion is limited
Note: this list is not exhaustive, and your individual condition will be explained to you in layman’s terms during your consultation with one of our Pain Specialists.
References
[1]. Phisopedia (2025). “Suprascapular Nerve Block.”
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Suprascapular_Nerve_Block
[2]. Gill et al (2023). “Chronic Shoulder Pain.” Australian Journal of General Practice.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2023/november/chronic-shoulder-pain
