Motivated by the outstanding properties and unique structure of graphene oxide (GO), the polymer nanocomposites of ethyl cellulose (EC) as a polymer matrix and the GO as a nano‐filler have been prepared with the different GO wt% concentrations using simple solution blending technique followed by the ultrasonication treatment and characterized by using various advanced techniques. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was utilized to determine the preliminary phase determination and for the structural analysis. The optical band gaps were determined with the help of UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrophotometer and were verified by the PL spectra using Spectro‐Fluorescence. According to experimental results, the optical bandgap of the nanocomposite was found to reduce with increasing GO content. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to study the surface morphology and to identify the presence of GO in the nanocomposites. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study has been carried out to recognize the presence of functional groups and their vibrational mechanisms. Micro‐Raman imaging technique has been used to determine the Raman bands present in the nanocomposites. The optical band gap of the nanocomposites reflects the semiconducting nature, which might be used in optoelectronic devices and sensor applications.
<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Frozen shoulder is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems seen in orthopaedics. Many treatment modes are available however, it is difficult to treat and data on the comparative efficacy of various interventions are limited. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IASI) is a commonly used to treat frozen shoulder pain. Supra-scapular nerve block (SSNB) is also effective method to treat pain in chronic diseases that affect the shoulder. The present study was done to compare efficacy of ultrasound guided SSNB and IASI in management of painful frozen shoulder.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 60 patients with painful frozen shoulder were divided in two groups, Group A received ultra-sound guided SSNB with 6 ml 0.5% Bupivacaine; Group B received IASI using 40 mg Triamcinolone. Outcome measures were shoulder ranges mainly lateral rotation and abduction, shoulder pain and disability index and visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients were followed-up on 2<sup>nd</sup> day, at 1<sup>st</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> week.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All baseline parameters improved significantly in both groups; however, on comparison Group A showed significant improvement in passive lateral rotation on 2<sup>nd</sup> day and 1<sup>st</sup> week follow up (P =0.038 and 0.040 respectively). VAS score showed significance at all follow-up in Group A, whereas, in Group B significance was seen after 1 week. On inter group comparison Group A shows significance on 2<sup>nd</sup> day (P =0.050), 1<sup>st</sup> week (P =0.042) and 3<sup>rd</sup> week (P =0.036).</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong>Both SSNB and IASI have efficacy in management of frozen shoulder. But supra-scapular nerve block is better than intra-articular injection and should be considered prior to steroid as it has early onset pain relief, early improvement in ranges, potentially lesser contraindications and side effects.<p> </p>
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