Shoulder terminal sensory articular nerve radiofrequency ablation for nonsurgical refractory shoulder pain due to rotator cuff pathology and osteoarthritis: a technical note

Abstract

Background: Given the high prevalence of chronic shoulder pain and encouraging early results of terminal sensory articular branch radiofrequency ablation to treat shoulder pain, research is warranted to refine the procedural technique on the basis of updated neuroanatomic knowledge with the goal of further improving patient outcomes. Objective: We describe an updated radiofrequency ablation protocol that accounts for varied locations of the terminal sensory articular branches of the suprascapular, axillary, subscapular, and lateral pectoral nerves within individual patients. Design: Technical note. Methods: Cadaveric studies delineating the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint were reviewed, and a more comprehensive radiofrequency ablation protocol is proposed relative to historical descriptions. Conclusions: The proposed radiofrequency ablation protocol, which is based on neuroanatomic dissections of the shoulder joint, will provide a safe means of more complete sensory denervation and potentially improve clinical outcomes compared with historical descriptions, the efficacy of the new protocol must be confirmed in prospective studies.