6 – The supraclavicular approach to block the suprascapular nerve ultrasound-guided

Place the patient supine with the head turned contralateral

Place a high-frequency linear probe in the axial plane visualizing the transverse process of C6 with its prominent anterior tubercle (Chassaignac’s tubercle); check that the transverse process of C7 has no anterior tubercle to validate the correct level

Move the probe cranial and identify the C5 nerve root between the anterior and posterior tubercles of the transverse process of C5; follow the C5 nerve root peripherally until it fuses with the C6 nerve root and becomes the superior trunk

Visualize the suprascapular nerve as it branches off postero-laterally from the proximal part of the superior trunk and dives under the omohyoid muscle (see next page)

Insert the needle in-plane from the posterior/lateral end of the probe and inject 5 mL of local anaesthetic perineurally