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Neurological Sciences

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01-11-2020 | Stroke | Original Article

Suprascapular nerve block in hemiplegic shoulder pain: comparison of the effectiveness of placebo, local anesthetic, and corticosteroid injections—a randomized controlled study

Authors: Rana Terlemez, Selda Çiftçi, Mahir Topaloglu, Beril Dogu, Figen Yilmaz, Banu Kuran

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 11/2020

Abstract

Background

Shoulder pain is a common complication of hemiplegic patients that can interrupt their rehabilitation program and is associated with poorer outcomes. The usefulness of the suprascapular nerve block. (SSNB) in the stroke population has been suggested, but some concerns still remain.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of SSNB on pain intensity and passive range ofmotion (PROM) in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP).Study Design: A prospective, double blind, randomized controlled trial was conductedin 34 stroke patients with HSP. They were randomly divided into three groups: Localanesthetic (LA) injection into the trapezius muscle (placebo group), LA injection into thesuprascapular notch, and LA and corticosteroid (CS) injections into the suprascapularnotch.The main outcome was visual analog scale (VAS) scores evaluated before andafter administration of the injection at 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month.

Results

There were significant decreases in the VAS scores with all three injections at all follow-up time points (p: 0.001 for the placebo group, p <0.001 for the LA group, and p <0.001 for the LA+CS group). When changes in VAS scores were compared between the groups, the LA+CS group demonstrated a higher decrease in VAS than the placebo group. Improvement in the PROM was seen only in the LA and LA+CS groups.

Conclusions

The findings of this study support the use of an SSNB with or without CS, to increase the range of motion in the affected shoulder, especially during the rehabilitation period.

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Title: Suprascapular nerve block in hemiplegic shoulder pain: comparison of the effectiveness of placebo, local anesthetic, and corticosteroid injections—a randomized controlled study
Authors: Rana Terlemez
Selda Çiftçi
Mahir Topaloglu
Beril Dogu
Figen Yilmaz
Banu Kuran
Publication date: 01-11-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Stroke
Nerve Block
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 11/2020
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04362-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Suprascapular nerve block in hemiplegic shoulder pain: comparison of the effectiveness of placebo, local anesthetic, and corticosteroid injections—a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Results

Conclusions

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