Suprascapular Neuropathy
Suprascapular neuropathy usually occurs as a result of traction damage to the Suprascapular nerve. Symptoms include aching or burning pain at the back and or side of the shoulder joint.
What are the Symptoms of Suprascapular Neuropathy?
- Aching or burning pain at the back and or side of the shoulder joint.
- Pain deep within the shoulder joint.
- Pain which may radiate through the arm.
- Pain came on gradually.
- Weakness of the shoulder joint into abduction (lifting the arm out to the side) and external rotation.
- Wasting of the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus muscles.
What is Suprascapular Neuropathy?
Suprascapular neuropathy usually occurs as a result of traction damage to the Suprascapular nerve. This nerve arises from the upper part of the brachial plexus (large number of nerves where they exit the spine at the base of the neck) and travels down under the trapezius to the scapular where it supplies the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus muscles.
Damage to this nerve is common in sports involving overhead movements such as tennis, cricket and volleyball. Injury can be a result of compression, traction or direct trauma to the nerve. Improper movement patterns of the scapula can also cause stretching of the nerve. The growth of cysts resulting from superior glenoid labral tears may also compress the nerve.
Treatment of Suprascapular Neuropathy
What can the Athlete do?
- Rest from aggravating activities.
- See a sports injury professional or Doctor who can diagnose your injury with the use of an MRI scan.
What can a Sports Injury professional do?
- Organise an MRI scan to diagnose the condition.
- Demonstrate rotator cuff strengthening exercises.
- Re-educate correct movement patterns of the scapula.
- If conservative treatment fails, subacromial injections or surgery to remove cysts or release the nerve may be required.
