Indications:
- The suprascapular nerve is a mixed nerve that comes from the superior branch of the brachial plexus
- It is a combination of C5 and C6 spinal nerves
- It provides motor innervation for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and part of teres minor musculature
- It is sensory also to the acromioclavicular joint
- It provides approximately 70% of the sensation in the posterior capsule of the glenohumeral joint
Targets:
- The primary landmark for blockade is between the suprascapular notch and the supraglenoid notch along the floor of the suprascapular spine space (though be aware up to 8% of cadavers do not clearly have this notch)
- The suprascapular artery and vein usually run above the notch. But at times the artery can run with the nerve within the notch
Technique:
- Patient can be sitting or prone
- US scanning with a linear probe (7-14MHz)
- Probe placed in coronal plane over the supraclavicular fossa
- Needle is entered from medial aspect towards lateral
Contraindications:
Risks:
- Pneumothorax is possible (1%)
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