Ultrasound-Guided Suprascapular Nerve RFA vs Steroid-Local Anesthetic Injection in Chronic Shoulder Pain

NCT07302490 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: SSNRFA20252024-KAEK-40
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 104
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the clinical effectiveness of two interventional treatments for chronic shoulder pain related to suprascapular nerve pathology: ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block and suprascapular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A total of 104 patients with chronic shoulder pain were enrolled and assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Participants were evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. Outcome measures included pain intensity, functional disability, range of motion, kinesiophobia, quality of life, shoulder proprioception, and supraspinatus muscle and tendon thickness measured by ultrasound. The primary aim of the study is to determine whether radiofrequency ablation provides more sustained pain relief and functional improvement compared with nerve block. The findings may help guide clinical decision-making in the management of chronic shoulder pain.

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain; Suprascapular Nerve-Related Shoulder Pain; Chronic Shoulder Pain

Keywords

Suprascapular nerve; Pulsed radiofrequency; PRF; Suprascapular nerve block; Shoulder pain; Chronic pain; Ultrasound-guided interventions; Corticosteroid injection; Local anesthetic injection; Shoulder proprioception

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Shoulder Pain Intensity (VAS Score)

  Pain intensity will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10. The primary outcome is the change in pain score from baseline to 3 months between the PRF group and the nerve block group. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  Baseline, 1 month and 3 months after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) Score

  Baseline, 1 month, 3 months

• SF-12 (Short Form-12 Health Survey: PCS & MCS)

  Baseline, 1 month, 3 months

• Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia

  Baseline, 1 month, 3 months

• Change in Shoulder Proprioception

  Baseline, 1 month, 3 months

• Change in Supraspinatus Muscle and Tendon Thickness

  Baseline, 1 month, 3 months

Study Arms (2)

PRF Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants undergo a single-session pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) procedure applied to the suprascapular nerve under ultrasound guidance. PRF is delivered at a maximum temperature of 42°C for a total of 6 minutes. At the end of the procedure, 2 mL of 2% lidocaine is injected into the perineural area.

Procedure: Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) of the Suprascapular Nerve

Nerve Block Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive suprascapular nerve block under ultrasound guidance consisting of 2 mL 2% lidocaine and 2 mL methylprednisolone acetate injected into the perineural area.

Procedure: Suprascapular Nerve Block with Local Anesthetic and Corticosteroid

Interventions

Suprascapular Nerve Block with Local Anesthetic and Corticosteroid PROCEDURE

Injection of 2 mL 2% lidocaine and 2 mL methylprednisolone acetate into the perineural area under ultrasound guidance.

Nerve Block Group

Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) of the Suprascapular Nerve PROCEDURE

Single-session PRF applied to the suprascapular nerve under ultrasound guidance. PRF is delivered at 42°C for 6 minutes. At the end of the procedure, 2 mL of 2% lidocaine is injected into the perineural area.

PRF Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 to 75 years, male or female. Presence of shoulder pain and/or mobility limitation for at least 3 months. Failure to benefit from medical treatment and exercise-based conservative therapy.
• Voluntary participation and ability to provide written informed consent for enrollment in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Age younger than 18 years or older than 75 years. Shoulder pain caused by non-shoulder conditions such as cervical radiculopathy or myofascial pain syndrome.
• Presence of severe chronic respiratory disease. History of intra-articular, peri-articular, or suprascapular nerve injection, or use of physical therapy modalities applied to the affected shoulder within the past 3 months.
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Presence of complex regional pain syndrome, entrapment neuropathy, or vascular disease affecting the same upper extremity.
• Coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis. Presence of inflammatory or malignant disease. Severe psychiatric disorder or mental condition impairing cooperation or compliance.
• Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nida Koçer Nazlıgül: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Training and Research Hospital

Ankara, 06230, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder Pain; Chronic Pain

Interventions

Prolactin-Releasing Hormone; Anesthetics, Local; Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Shoulder Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Arthralgia; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypothalamic Hormones; Peptide Hormones; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Neuropeptides; Peptides; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Proteins; Anesthetics; Central Nervous System Depressants; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Pharmacologic Actions; Chemical Actions and Uses; Sensory System Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Central Nervous System Agents; Therapeutic Uses

Study Officials

• Hakan Genç, MD

  Ankara Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist (Sponsor-Investigator)

Model Details: Participants will be assigned to one of two parallel groups: suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) or suprascapular nerve block with local anesthetic and corticosteroid. Both interventions are administered once under ultrasound guidance. Follow-up assessments at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months will compare outcomes related to pain, functional disability, range of motion, shoulder proprioception, quality of life, and ultrasound-based measurements of supraspinatus muscle and tendon thickness.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 11, 2025
• First Posted: December 24, 2025
• Study Start: July 27, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 8, 2025
• Study Completion: December 8, 2025
• Last Updated: December 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)