The Efficacy of Suprascapular Nerve Radiofrequency and Intra-articular Steroid Injection in Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Suprascapular Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation and Intra-articular Steroid Injection in Frozen Shoulder Treatment

The aim of this clinical study is to compare the effectiveness of suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency and intra-articular steroid injection in patients with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. What is the effectiveness of intra-articular steroid injection in frozen shoulder?
2. What is the effectiveness of suprascapular nerve radiofrequency in frozen shoulder?
3. Should these two methods be used together in frozen shoulder?

Inclusion Criteria:

• unilateral side involvement.
• ≥50% loss of passive ROM (external rotation or abduction) in the glenohumeral joint comparing to the unaffected side.
• duration of symptoms ≥3 months.
• age≥ 20year old.
• Patients with VAS ≥4 before the procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

• ever received manipulation of the affected shoulder with/without anesthesia. systemic disease, severe degeneration, or trauma involving the shoulder. (ie, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, history of injury to the labrum or articular cartilage or malignancies in the shoulder region, etc.)
• neurologic diseases such as stroke or peripheral nerve neuropathy that have already affect the activity of shoulder.
• pain or disorders of the cervical spine, elbow, wrist, or hand.
• a history of drug allergy to local or corticosteroids.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Received corticosteroids, or hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection into the affected shoulder during the preceding 4 weeks.
• Patients with VAS <4 before the procedure