ABSTRACT
Background: There is limited data on the comparative efficacy of various interventions used in the management of adhesive capsulitis. Recently intra-articular steroid injection and suprascapular nerve block have become popular in the management of adhesive capsulitis. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block and intra-articular shoulder joint steroid injection in the management of adhesive capsulitis. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients having adhesive capsulitis attending PMR OPD, RIMS. The study group received USG-guided SSNB and control group received IASI. Outcome measures were shoulder range of motion, VAS and SPADI which were measured at baseline and at 4 week follow up. Inter group analysis was done using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and p-value <0.05 were considered as statistically significance.Results: During the subsequent follow-up at 4 weeks there was significant improvement in passive range of motion in both control and study group. The SPADI and VAS also improved significantly at 4 week in both groups. However, the mean change was statistically significant more in study group compared to control group (85.67±10.15 vs 16.9±1.73) respectively at 4 weeks follow-up. Conclusion: Both SSNB and IASI have efficacy in management of adhesive capsulitis. But supra-scapular nerve block was more effective than intra-articular injection at 4 weeks follow up. Therefore, it should be considered prior to steroid injection as it has more pain relief, improvement in ranges and potentially lesser contraindications and side effects as compared to IASI.