RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Many approaches to treatment of frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, including use of steroid injections, provide only short-term relief. We present a method for pulsed mode radiofrequency (PRF) lesioning of the suprascapular nerve using ultrasound guidance in patients with severe pain from frozen shoulder. DESIGN: Patients with frozen shoulder were treated by using real-time, high-resolution ultrasound guidance to facilitate PRF lesioning of the suprascapular nerve. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Two patients with frozen shoulder of a tertiary hospital were reported. MEASURES: Pain intensity and shoulder movement before and after procedure were recorded. Results. In the two cases presented, both patients experienced pain relief and increased shoulder flexibility for 5-6 months. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound can not only quickly and effectively identify the suprascapular notch and nerve, but also helps the operator manipulate and advance the needle to a more precise position.
