Role of ultrasound guided suprascapular nerve block aided mobilization physiotherapy in frozen shoulder recovery: a prospective study

Background: Frozen shoulder is debilitating condition marked by progressive shoulder pain and restricted mobility, affecting sleep and activities of daily living of a person. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of USG guided suprascapular nerve block aided mobilization physiotherapy for management of frozen shoulder so as to improve the quality of living of patients. Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics of a teaching institute of Central India from January 2021 to April 2023 after obtaining ethical clearance. Patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder and giving written consent were included in this study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Baseline demographics, symptom duration, degree of active and passive shoulder range of movement, Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) score were documented on day of presentation (preintervention) after which USG guided suprascapular nerve block was given. Post SSNB, 10 sessions of supervised mobilization physiotherapy was given. SPADI scores and degree of active and passive range of movement were noted at 3rd, 6th and 12th week and compared using statistical tests namely repeated measure ANOVA and chi square test of independence. Results: A total of 54 patients enrolled in the study after meeting inclusion criteria, only 46 completed the follow up and their mean SPADI pain score and mean SPADI disability score at presentation significantly reduced at 12 weeks post intervention. Range of flexion, abduction and external rotation of shoulder also showed significant increase (p value<0.05). Number of participants with severe restriction of shoulder internal rotation also decreased after SSNB aided physiotherapy. Conclusions: USG guided suprascapular nerve block aided physiotherapy exercise schedule is a safe and effective outpatient treatment for frozen shoulder providing early pain relief and improving shoulder mobility

Osteoarticular tuberculosis in Central India: Changing epidemiological profile and emerging challenges

Background: Osteoarticular tuberculosis (OATB) is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) affecting bones and joints. There is a paucity of data on skeletal TB epidemiology in the annual TB reports and current literature. Many atypical presentations of the disease have also emerged. This necessitates periodic observation of the epidemiological profile of OATB. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevailing epidemiological trends of OATB in Central India. Methods: The 5-year ambispective observational study was conducted at the department of orthopedics of a tertiary care center in Central India. Records of patients diagnosed with OATB from January 2017 to December 2021 were analyzed for demographic factors, site of lesion, comorbidities (pulmonary TB, human immunodeficiency virus, and diabetes), etc., Chi-square test for linear trend was used to determine whether a linear trend exists in the number of diagnosed cases. Results: Two hundred and ten skeletal TB lesions were found in 208 patients included in the study. OATB was highly reported in young adults and females. Spinal lesions were three times more common than extraspinal OATB lesions. The lumbar spine was the most affected region. Hip was the most common extraspinal site. Unusual sites such as sternoclavicular joint and ischial tuberosity were also involved. Conclusion: The burden of OATB is increasing, especially spinal TB. The involvement of atypical sites insists on strong clinical suspicion for early diagnosis. The practice of empirical antitubercular chemotherapy needs to be reviewed considering the risk of drug resistance