Background: Suprascapular nerve block is performed in the management of chronic shoulder
pain and frozen shoulder.
Objective: To investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block in restoration
of shoulder motion in breast cancer survivors.
Study Design: A cohort study.
Setting: A training and research hospital, outpatient setting.
Methods: A total of 18 breast cancer survivors with limited shoulder motion, pain, and difficulty
in positioning the upper extremity for radiation treatment following surgery were enrolled in
this study. Ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve blocks were performed while the patients
were seated in a chair without a backrest. After visualization of the suprascapular nerve under
the transverse suprascapular ligament, 20 mg of triamcinolone and 4 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine
were injected. Shoulder range of motion, pain, disability, and upper extremity circumference
measurements were assessed in all participants before and 10 days after the block.
Results: A significant decrease was observed in severity of pain and disability 10 days after the
block. The ranges of shoulder abduction, flexion, and external rotation were improved significantly.
All patients were able to receive radiation therapy without delay.
Limitations: Absence of a control group and absence of randomization reduces the strength of
our findings. Small sample size and absence of long-term follow-up are other limitations of this
study.
Conclusions: This is the first study investigating the effect of ultrasound-guided suprascapular
block on shoulder limitation in breast cancer survivors. The results demonstrate that it may be a
promising treatment approach for rapid recovery of shoulder motion in women with breast cancer
before radiation treatment.
Key words: Breast cancer, upper extremity, shoulder pain, range of motion, disability, ultrasound,
injection, triamcinolone, local anesthetics
Black breast cancer survivors experience greater upper extremity disability