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Suprascapular nerve block?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Susan1942
Susan1942

I have keyhole surgery for a tear to the rotator cuff  Unfortunately my Surgeon was unable to repair the tear as it was very frayed.  He did a bursectomy ASD I think it is called and really cleaned all the joint up.  There was a lot of inflammation in the joint.   Unfortunately although I thought initially it was going to be an improvement in the long term it has failed.  I have been in more pain than ever and reallly very limited in what I can do  I am having to try to sleep sitting up in bed.  I can't lift with my right hand kettle cup of coffee etc.  Having to hoover and iron etc with my left hand which is not easy.  I had another Cortisone injection the second 3 weeks ago and that has improved my pain somewhat but still a good deal of pain at night.

I saw my surgeon last week and he asked me what I would like him to do  I am unsure and said what can you do  He had spoken about a patch at the last appointment.  He has suggested Surpa scapular nerve block a series of 3 injections.  Does anyone have any experience of this.  I would appreciate any information anyone can give me  Thanks 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • MD782308
    MD782308 Susan1942

    Posted

    Hi Susan. 

    I do feel your pain. May I suggest you to perhaps speak to your consultant about InSpace Balloon procedure. It is a relatively simple procedure (around 20 mins) and available through NHS/Private. It is specifically designed to target patients having massive rotator cuff/ irreparable cuff tears.

    Please have a look at the InSpace Balloon videos on youtube and have a look at the literature as well. 

    It might be worth a chat with your consultant. 

    I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.

    MD

  • droopyshoulder
    droopyshoulder Susan1942

    Posted

    Sounds like he is trying to treat the symptoms and not the cause at this point.  Partial rotator cuff tears are sometimes repaired with sutures and immobilization if conservative measures don't pan out.  But we don't have any specifics on your age, activity level, or anything of the like.  Nor should you share them here.  It would be something to discuss with him.  My guess is you will have pain as the ligament scars and reforms to repair itself.  There is no way around that whether it was sutured or treated conservatively.  And those treatments you are mentioning all revolve around controlling pain.  So if he thinks your ligament is on it's way to healing, just do your best to cope with the pain and hope for an intact shoulder.  A few months of pain is nothing compared to years of deformity.

    • Susan1942
      Susan1942 droopyshoulder

      Posted

      I am 75 so age would seem to be a factor. I didn't do anything in particular but was a nurse and Midwife for many years so a lot of heavy lifting.

      I am less concerned with the mobility in my shoulder than the amount of pain. Are you saying it would be damaging to have this nerve block. I am to have 3 injections at weekly intervals Thank you both for your responses

  • droopyshoulder
    droopyshoulder Susan1942

    Posted

    Damaging to your nerve or your cuff?  Either way, I think those would be a questions for your doctor.  I like MD782308's suggestion.  That balloon device appears to accommodate your particular condition.  Looks like a little pad/cushion to prevent the top of the humeral head from rubbing against the underside of your acromion preventing irritation of the rotator cuff.  I bet it is an interesting sensation having that kind of pressure on the underside of your acromion, probably makes it a little more difficult to go through your range of motion, but supposedly it accomplished what you are looking for.  Probably a great piece of information to bring up with your doctor:

    https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article/1642

    You can do a general search for "suprascapular nerve block" as well.  This turned up when I searched:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1754520/pdf/v062p00400.pdf

    So it appears this isn't permanent.  But any lasting effects I do not know.  If you have decreased pain after the numbness wears off, will it be from altering the nerve or from better shoulder function?  Questions for your doctor in my opinion.

  • MD782308
    MD782308 Susan1942

    Posted

    I do agree with droopyshoulder. I think it would be good to discuss your options with your consultant now that you are aware of some possibilities. 

    Good luck and I really hope you feel better soon Susan1942. 

  • Susan1942
    Susan1942

    Posted

    Thank you both for your information I have not had an appointment or information regarding dates etc

    I think I will speak to Joe the Physio who works with my Surgeon as he was the person who first spoke to me about the nerve block

    Will update you at a later date

  • Susan1942
    Susan1942

    Posted

    It is several months since I posted

    During that time I did have the supra scapular nerve block X 3 at 2 weekly interval Have made.no difference

    Discussed with my Consultant about 5 weeks ago my options He said that he previously performed this balloon surgery but had stopped as the results were poor Options are a patch to try and repair the test. Cortisone inj and further physio. Also said if I wanted a second opinion he had no problems with that. In the end for now I decided to have further Cortisone injection and commence further Physio. The pain at the moment is bearable but the Shoulder is weak. To see him 24th April. My fear is that further surgery may fail. Prolonged recovery period.

    I am asking myself how much pain should or could I put up with. I do.have confidence in my Surgeon He specialises in Shoulder and elbow surgery

    Thanks for reading Sue

  • cliff00052
    cliff00052 Susan1942

    Posted

    Yeah I thought the only answer for me was cortisone injections and more and more opiates. After the nerve block I have +-35% more range of motion it’s been great now going on four days after the procedure. 
    • Susan1942
      Susan1942 cliff00052

      Posted

      Not exactly sure what you had done few days ago Was this the nerve blocks I had none back in Jan/Feb

      That didn't work for me

      Had rotator cuff repair on 12th June

      Struggling with the immobiliser sling washing dressing etc Terrified I do anything that might undo anything so far so good Pain difficulty with sleeping upright but hanging I wish you well Good to hear from you Sue

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