Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided dorsal scapular nerve(DSN) block in the treatment of unilateral interscapular pain. 
Methods A total of 156 patients with unilateral interscapular pain admitted to our hospital were divided into two groups by random number table method, with 78 patients in each group. The control group was treated with neck and shoulder manipulation, and the observation group was treated with DSN block under ultrasound guidance on the basis of the control group. The pain degree, range of motion(ROM) of shoulder joint, upper limb function, and quality of life were compared between two groups. 
Results Visual analog scale(VAS) score in two groups decreased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05). Passive range of motion(PROM) of shoulder flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity(FMA-UE) score, and modified barthel index(MBI) score increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05). VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment(P＜0.05), while PROM of shoulder flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation, FMA-UE score and MBI score were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of complications between two groups(P＞0.05). 
Conclusion Ultrasound-guided DSN block can effectively reduce the pain degree of patients with unilateral interscapular pain, improve the neck and shoulder activity function, and improve the quality of life.

Key words: dorsal scapularis nerve, pain,  , ultrasonography