The diagnostic value of physical examination tests in adhesive capsulitis: a systematic review.
Marc Schiltz, Lisa Goudman, Maarten Moens...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37737049Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 99Years
All Genders
ID06229964
A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring the Additional Effect of a Suprascapular Nerve Block Combined With an Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection in Frozen Shoulder
Led by Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel · Updated on 2026-06-01
110
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Frozen Shoulder is a common condition causing severe shoulder pain and loss of motion, which can last for months or even years, significantly affecting daily activities and quality of life. This research compares the effectiveness of two treatments: a combination of an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and an intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI) versus an IACI combined with a sham SSNB. The study also seeks to identify physical exam tests linked to MRI findings and to determine which patients benefit most from these treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an active SSNB plus IACI or a short-acting SSNB plus IACI, with both groups receiving standard rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The active SSNB involves injections of methylprednisolone acetate and ropivacaine, while the sham SSNB uses linisol and the same IACI dose. Patient education, home exercises, and pain monitoring with a numeric scale will guide rehabilitation throughout the study. Participants will undergo assessments measuring shoulder pain, disability, range of motion, quality of life, and work ability over 12 months. Key tools include the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and Constant-Murley score. Researchers will monitor adverse effects and use predictive analyses to understand treatment benefits. The study will follow participants from baseline through 12 months post-intervention to track changes and safety.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Frozen Shoulder Treatment With Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection and Suprascapular Nerve Block
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 99Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Written informed consent to participate in the study must be obtained prior to any study procedures
- Diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder, defined by pain and limited shoulder motion lasting more than 1 month with unremarkable shoulder X-rays
- Ability to speak Dutch or French
- Age 18 years or older
You will not qualify if you...
- Posttraumatic or postsurgical stiff shoulder syndrome
- History of trauma at symptom onset
- Rheumatologic or neurologic disease involving the shoulder
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Coagulation disorders
- Hypersensitivity to local anesthetics or MRI contrast agent
- Inability to understand the study procedures
- Psychiatric illness
- Pregnancy
- Previous suprascapular nerve block in the same shoulder
- Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in the same shoulder within 3 months before inclusion
- Systematic yeast infections
- Hypovolaemia
- Infection at the injection site
- History of malignant hyperthermia, major conduction disorders, acute cardiac decompensation, shock, or convulsions
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - Single treatment visit with rehabilitation continuing as part of usual care
Participants receive either a suprascapular nerve block combined with an intra-articular corticosteroid injection or a sham nerve block combined with an intra-articular corticosteroid injection. All participants complete rehabilitation under supervision of their own physiotherapist, including patient education on home-exercises and guided physiotherapy.
1 treatment visit (in-person) plus ongoing outpatient physiotherapy visits as per routine care
Follow-up
Duration - 12 months after treatment
Participants are monitored for pain relief, shoulder function, and adverse effects over 12 months after the intervention using various questionnaires and physical assessments.
Visits at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-treatment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Brussels, Belgium, 1090
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
M
Marc Schiltz, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
The Impact of Suprascapular Nerve Interventions in Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Christopher M Jump, Ashish Waghmare, Wael Mati...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34936584Shoulder pain and mobility deficits: adhesive capsulitis.
Martin J Kelley, Michael A Shaffer, John E Kuhn...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23636125Frozen shoulder.
Neal L Millar, Adam Meakins, Filip Struyf...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36075904The FROSTBLOCK trial: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of intra-articular corticosteroid injection with or without suprascapular nerve block in frozen shoulder.
Marc Schiltz, Jonas Croes, Lina van Brabander...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41023761