Image-guided versus landmark-guided suprascapular nerve block for shoulder pain in rotator cuff tears: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is a recognized treatment for chronic shoulder pain, including pain from rotator cuff tears. While it is purported that image-guided SSNB improve injection accuracy over landmark-guided techniques, the impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review compared image-guided vs. landmark-guided SSNB in patients with rotator cuff tears, evaluating efficacy, pain relief, functional improvement, complications, and duration of relief.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL (inception to April 2025) for prospective or retrospective studies comparing image-guided (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, or arthroscopic) to landmark-guided SSNB. Two reviewers independently screened

SUBMITTER: Zhou AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12553052 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature