Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation for Post-Stroke Shoulder Pain in Patients with Hemorrhagic Stroke

  • Doyoung Na (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Mu Seung Park (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Hyuk Jai Choi (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Jinseo Yang (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Yong-Jun Cho (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Jin Pyeong Jeon (Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University)
  • Received : 2023.09.27
  • Accepted : 2024.02.13
  • Published : 2024.09.01
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Abstract

Objective : Post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is a common complication that limits the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, the patient's rehabilitation and in turn, affects the patients' quality of life (QoL). Several treatment modalities such as sling, positioning, strapping, functional electrical stimulation, and nerve block have been suggested in literatures, however none of the treatments had long-term effects for PSSP. In this study, the authors evaluated clinical efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation on the suprascapular nerve for PSSP, and suggested it as a potential treatment with long-term effect. Methods : This retrospective case series was conducted at a single center, a private practice institution. From 2013 to 2021, 13 patients with PSSP underwent PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve. The primary outcome measure was the Visual analog scale (VAS) score. The secondary outcome measurements included the shoulder ROM, Disability assessment scale (DAS), modified Ashworth scale, modified Rankin scale (mRS), and EuroQol-5 dimension-3L questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) scores. These parameters were evaluated before PRF modulation, immediately after PRF modulation, and every 3 months until the final follow-up visit. Results : Six men and seven women were enrolled, and all patients were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months. The mean VAS score was 7.07 points before PRF neuromodulation and 2.38 points immediately post-procedure. Shoulder ROM for abduction and flexion, DAS for pain, mRS, and EQ-5D-3L demonstrated marked improvement. No complications were reported. Conclusion : PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective modality in patients with PSSP, and has long-term effect of pain relief, improvement of QoL.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We thank the anonymous referees for their useful suggestions.

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