Effect of Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation on Clinical Improvements in the Patients of Chronic Intractable Shoulder Pain.
10.3340/jkns.2013.54.6.507
- Author:
Ji Su JANG
1
;
Hyuk Jai CHOI
;
Suk Hyung KANG
;
Jin Seo YANG
;
Jae Jun LEE
;
Sung Mi HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chronic pain;
Failed back surgery syndrome;
Spinal surgery;
Spinal cord stimulation
- MeSH:
Adhesives;
Bursitis;
Chronic Pain;
Extremities;
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Nerve Block;
Quality of Life;
Rotator Cuff;
Shoulder Pain*;
Shoulder*;
Spinal Cord Stimulation;
Ultrasonography
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2013;54(6):507-510
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of suprascpaular nerve (SSN) in patients with chronic shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear. METHODS: The study included 11 patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain for at least 6 months who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (n=4), rotator cuff tear (n=5), or adhesive capsulitis+rotator cuff tear (n=2) using shoulder magnetic resonance imaging or extremity ultrasonography. After a favorable response to a diagnostic suprascapular nerve block twice a week (pain improvement >50%), PRF neuromodulation was performed. Shoulder pain and quality of life were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) before the diagnostic block and every month after PRF neuromodulation over a 9-month period. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of 11 patients before PRF was 6.4+/-1.49, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 1.0+/-0.73 and 1.5+/-1.23, respectively. A significant pain reduction (p<0.001) was observed. The mean OSS score of 11 patients before PRF was 22.7+/-8.1, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 41.5+/-6.65 and 41.0+/-6.67, respectively. A significant OSS improvement (p<0.001) was observed. CONCLUSION: PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain, and the effect was sustained over a relatively long period in patients with medically intractable shoulder pain.
