Corticosteroid Injection Versus Nerve Block

A Randomized Comparative Cohort Study of the Use of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection Compared to Suprascapular Nerve Block for Treatment of Shoulder Pain

The purpose of this study is to evaluate conservative pain relief measures for patients suffering from glenohumeral arthritis or rotator cuff arthropathy. Conservative management of osteoarthritis is often first line treatment, and while a corticosteroid injection is frequently used, suprascapular nerve blocks have not often been described as an analgesic option in this population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or rotator cuff arthropathy who are being offered injection

Exclusion Criteria:

• uncontrolled diabetes (patients will be excluded if no HbA1c within a year or if it is 8 or greater"
• known allergy to steroid or anesthetic
• pregnant women
• prisoners
• patients with diminished capacity to consent to participation
• children under 18 years of age
• non-English speakers