Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Suprascapular Nerve for Shoulder Pain: A Novel Technique Description.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic shoulder pain is a widespread and disabling condition that often persists despite conservative treatments. For patients who remain unresponsive, minimally invasive techniques like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offer effective and lasting pain relief while avoiding the risks of surgery. Although RFA of the suprascapular nerve has shown promising outcomes, most existing studies have focused primarily on pulsed radiofrequency (RF) compared with nerve blocks or steroid injections. Comprehensive evaluations that include pulsed RF, continuous, and cooled RFA techniques remain limited, particularly given the anatomical variability of the suprascapular nerve. This technical report outlines the procedural techniques and parameters of three RFA modalities (pulsed RF, continuous, and cooled RFA) used to target the suprascapular nerve at either the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. RECENT FINDINGS: Continuous RFA provides long-lasting pain relief, pulsed RF is preferred for its lower risk of adverse effects, and cooled RFA, which produces broader and more uniform lesions, is especially beneficial in cases of variable nerve anatomy.