Corticosteroid Injection Versus Nerve Block for Shoulder Pain

This study is looking at ways to relieve shoulder pain caused by glenohumeral arthritis (wear and tear of the shoulder joint) or rotator cuff arthropathy (a type of shoulder arthritis). Researchers want to compare two treatments: intraarticular corticosteroid injection (IACI), which is a common shot into the joint, and suprascapular nerve block (SSNB), a less common injection near a specific nerve. You might be able to join if you are 18 to 99 years old, have one of these shoulder conditions, and are being considered for an injection. The study will measure pain levels and shoulder function to see which treatment works better. The study plans to enroll 40 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 40 participants. It compares two different injection treatments for shoulder pain.
What's involved
You would receive one of the injection treatments. Your pain and shoulder function would be measured before the injection and then at 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months after the injection.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 3 months after their injection.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06735027

Corticosteroid Injection Versus Nerve Block

Recruiting
NAAges 18–99InterventionalTreatment
University of Minnesota
~40 participants
Updated 2026-01-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:intraarticular corticosteroid injection (IACI)suprascapular nerve block (SSNB)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
change in visual analog scale (VAS) for pain
Measured over preintervention, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention
+3 more outcomes measured
Glenohumeral Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Arthropathy
1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1
  • Allison Rao, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or rotator cuff arthropathy who are being offered injection

Exclusion

uncontrolled diabetes (patients will be excluded if no HbA1c within a year or if it is 8 or greater"
known allergy to steroid or anesthetic
pregnant women
prisoners
patients with diminished capacity to consent to participation
children under 18 years of age
non-English speakers
  • change in visual analog scale (VAS) for painpreintervention, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention

    a validated continuous scale assessment for pain

  • single assessment numerical evaluation (SANE) of the shoulderpreintervention, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention

    a validated tool providing a numerical score from 0-100 that assess shoulder function as subjectively reported by the subject. A higher score indicates superior shoulder function.

  • Oxford shoulder score (OSS)preintervention, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention

    a validated patient-reported outcome measure used to assess shoulder pain and functional disability. Possible scores range from 0-48 with higher scores indicating superior better shoulder function.

  • American shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) scorepreintervention, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention

    a validated survey with possible scores from 0-100 that assesses shoulder function as reported by the subject. A higher score indicates superior shoulder function.