The use of localized direct nerve blocks for anesthesia instead of pre‐operative anesthetic procedures based on intubation has shown greater successful surgical outcomes. Peripheral nerve blocks have been used to achieve local anesthesia but the risk of direct puncture of the nerve has been documented. This study utilized ultrasound on donor bodies to visualize the suprascapular nerve and to safely guide the “anesthetic” saturation delivery to the surrounding tissue without damaging the nerve (n=14). Using a 5–2 MHz transducer placed the sagittal plane, the scapular spine was visualized. The ultrasound transducer was then placed in a transverse orientation to the scapular spine. Moving the transducer superior from the scapular spine, the suprascapular notch was visualized in the supraspinatous fossa. Real‐time imaging was used for injection of methyl blue via a 20 gauge syringe into the suprascapular notch. During real‐time clinical application of this technique, the suprascapular artery could be visualized and avoided by utilizing ultrasound color‐flow. Dissection of the donor shoulder region was then completed to confirm accurate dispensation of the methyl blue to the suprascapular nerve confirming the technique to be viable. Advantages of using ultrasound guidance for this technique include limiting radiation exposure to the patient, being cost‐effective compared with general anesthesia protocols, and having clinical applications in chronic and acute pain management including osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint.

During strenuous activity, the human body must provide an adequate supply of oxygen to active muscles. Apart from a general upswing of blood flow to the muscles moderated by the sympathetic nervous system, the body appears to have a mechanism for directing blood flow to the specific acting muscles. This quantitative study documents blood flow rate (BFR) to muscles in need of oxygen by employing a mixed sex sample (n=20) of individuals between the ages of 22 to 25. Subjects performed a preset number of biceps curls (flexing the elbow against resistance) with one arm only. Left‐handed and right‐handed curls were split evenly among the participants. Increases in BFR were measured through ultrasound of the brachial artery just proximal to the elbow. Results showed a general increase in BFR in both arms with a substantially higher percent increase in the weight‐bearing arm. The average percent increase of BFR in the weight‐bearing arm was 130.5% with a standard deviation (sd) of 31.4% and a standard error (se) of 9.9%. The average percent increase of BFR of the non‐weight bearing arm was 47.1% (sd=53.4%, se=16.9%). These preliminary findings suggest an asymmetrical blood delivery increase favoring the active muscles. BFR increases are likely influenced by local muscle activity in a dynamic functional relationship.