Suprascapular Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency as an Effective Pain Relief Strategy in Supraspinatus Muscle Tendon Tears

INTRODUCTIONThe supraspinatus muscle tendon is the most frequently rotator cuff muscle torn. Reliable shoulder pain relief strategies are needed for patients with severe pain, refractory to conservative management, and without surgical indication.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a retrospective analysis in a Portuguese reference Rehabilitation Centre during the 1st of January 2020 and the 30th of June 2021, including all patients with partial or complete supraspinatus tendon tear, older than 50 years, who presented with severe pain and who were submitted to suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency.RESULTSWe included 32 patients in our retrospective analysis, mainly female (53%) with a mean age of 66.50 years old. Most of the patients reported right shoulder pain (21 patients, 66%). The mean baseline pain, reported on the numeric rating scale, was 8.00 ± 0.88. Compared to baseline, mean pain reduced 4.00 ± 3.19 at three months (p