Suprascapular Nerve Block for Shoulder Pain Relief

Suprascapular Nerve Block aids in pain relief of acute or chronic pain in the suprascapular nerve and shoulder joint areas.

This procedure is done right in our office within 20 minutes. It will help decrease pain involving rotator cuff injuries, shoulder pain, or scapular pain. It may also help if you are still in pain after surgery.

What Happens during the Procedure?

During the procedure, you will lie down on your stomach so we have access to your shoulder. The area is cleaned and a local anesthetic. Using our x-ray guidance machines along with ultrasound, we will locate the suprascapular nerve. Dr. Henriquez uses a tiny amount of dye to determine the exact placement of the needle.

Once he is assured that the needle has located the proper nerve, a steroid and an ant-inflammatory (usually lidocaine) is injected into the area. The lidocaine provides temporary relief while the steroid offers a longer term relief.

Other Options

If the procedure is a success but the pain relief doesn’t last as long as expected, then other options may be considered. One of these options is ablation. In this case, much like in the first procedure, Dr. Henriquez will locate the nerve. However, this time, he will utilize a special electrically heated needle to deaden the nerve.

Pain relief from the Ablation procedure is expected to last 6 months to a year or possibly even longer.

Of course every patient and situation is different. Dr. Henriquez and our other Family Spine Care doctors will determine if one or both of these is the right course of action for you.