Abstract: BACKGROUND: Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is used in the
management of frozen shoulder. There are no evidences from the literature
that can determine how many blocks and the interval between them. OBJECTIVE: To compare between single and multiple (nine) SSNB in
the treatment of diabetic frozen shoulder. METHODS: Ninety six patients with Type 2 diabetic and a frozen
shoulder divided into 2 equal groups. Patients in group1 were subjected to
single SSNB. Patients in group 2 were subjected to multiple (nine) SSNB.
Participants were assessed clinically and by ultrasound at baseline and
after 3 weeks and 4 months. RESULTS: After 3 weeks, there was a significant improvement of all
clinical & ultrasound parameters in both groups. But the improvement in
group 2 was significantly better than the improvement in group 1. Also after
4 months, all parameters in both groups showed a further improvement in
comparison with the base line parameters but still there was a highly
significant improvement in group 2 versus group1. CONCLUSION: A course of multiple (nine) injections for
suprascapular nerve block gave a better outcome than a single injection for
suprascapular nerve block.
