Evaluation of Internally Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation Targeting Multiple Shoulder Nerves for Chronic Shoulder Pain Relief and Function Restoration: A Prospective Study.

Objective: Shoulder pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, affecting up to 70% of adults over their lifetime. Recently radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained attention as a treatment for joint pain. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of internally cooled RFA (icRFA) in alleviating shoulder pain and improving both qualitative and quantitative measures of shoulder function.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Subjects: 35 patients with chronic shoulder pain who responded positively to diagnostic blocks of the suprascapular nerve (SSN), axillary nerve (AN), and lateral pectoral nerve (LPN).

Methods: Patients underwent icRFA targeting SSN, AN, and LPN. Treatment response was assessed using numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and active range of motion (AROM) in flexion and abduction. Outcomes were measured at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-cRFA. Patient characteristics were compared between responder and non-responder to cRFA treatment and correlation analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between pain relief and functional improvement.

Results: NRS pain levels significant decreased at 1 month (Adj. P < 0.0001), 3 month (Adj. P < 0.0001) and 6 month (Adj. P = 0.0002) post-icRFA, respectively. ASES score improved at 1 months (Adj. P < 0.0001), 3 month (Adj. P < 0.0001), and 6 months (Adj. P < 0.0001) post-icRFA, respectively. Flexion AROM improved at 1 months (Adj. P < 0.0001), 3 months (Adj. P < 0.0001), and 6 months (Adj. P = 0.0139) post-icRFA, respectively. Abduction AROM improved at 1 months (Adj. P < 0.0001), 3 months (Adj. P < 0.0001), and 6 months (P < 0.0001) post-RFA, respectively.

Conclusion: cRFA targeting the SSN, AN, and LPN is a safe and effective intervention, providing significant improvements in pain, functional activities of daily living, and AROM of shoulder for at least 6 months.