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Aim: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy has become increasingly popular in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain due to its long duration of action and non-destructive method. The aim of the study was to reveal the effects of PRF therapy of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) under ultrasound guidance (UG) in patients with chronic shoulder pain on both shoulder pain and function.

Material and methods: This study included 74 patients diagnosed with at least one of the following: adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff syndrome and impingement syndrome of shoulder. The PRF therapy of the SSN under UG was performed in those patients with a reduction of 50% or more Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and those that reported healing in the active range of motion (AROM) in the diagnostic SSN block. The resting, motion and sleeping shoulder pain assessments of the patients were done with VAS score. The shoulder joint function was assessed with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire and the AROM of the joint was measured using a goniometer.

Results: In 70 of the 74 patients a 50% or more reduction was found in the VAS score with diagnostic SSN block. After the PRF therapy of the SSN, the 15th