Continuous interscalene nerve block following adhesive capsulitis manipulation.
Malhotra N, Madison SJ, Ward SR, Mariano ER, Loland VJ, Ilfeld BM.
Reg Anesth Pain Med, 2013 38(2):171-2.
Abstract:
We report on a prospective series of patients who were treated with a 3-day ambulatory perineural local anesthetic infusion in addition to the customary single-injection brachial plexus block for shoulder manipulation, using specific prospectively-defined endpoints. Shoulder adhesive capsulitis may be treated with manipulation under anesthesia to physically break up scar tissue associated with the joint capsule. After manipulation, frequent intensive range-of-motion exercises are critical to prevent recurrence of pathology. Unfortunately, shoulder motion following manipulation is often painful, greatly limiting adherence to the exercise regimen and resulting in a return of capsular adhesions. While treating shoulder pain with continuous interscalene nerve blocks has been studied previously following invasive surgical procedures in the immediate postoperative period, their application in non-surgical patients—and any longer-term, post-infusion effects on range-of-motion—remain uninvestigated.