8 – Supraspinatus approach to block the suprascapular nerve ultrasound-guided

Place the patient in the sitting position with flexion of the back and neck

Place a high-frequency linear probe parallel to the scapular spine

Make a parallel shift of the probe in the cranial direction until you visualize the trapezius muscle, the supraspinatus muscle and the suprascapular fossa underneath

Move the probe lateral until you identify the bony groove in the upper margin of the scapula that is called the scapular notch. The groove is converted to an aperture by the superior transverse scapular ligament. The suprascapular nerve runs via the aperture. The blood vessels run superficial to the ligament.

Insert the needle with in-plane technique from the medial end of the probe. The endpoint of injection is perineural spread in the scapular notch. The typical volume of local anaethetic is 5 mL.