TY  - JOUR
T1  - Suprascapular Neuropathy
AU  - Boykin, Robert E.
AU  - Friedman, Darren J.
AU  - Higgins, Laurence D.
AU  - Warner, Jon J.P.
Y1  - 2010/10/06
N1  - 10.2106/JBJS.I.01743
JO  - The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
SP  - 2348
EP  - 2364
VL  - 92
IS  - 13
N2  - Suprascapular neuropathy has often been overlooked as a source of shoulder pain.The condition may be more common than once thought as it is being diagnosed more frequently.Etiologies for suprascapular neuropathy may include repetitive overhead activities, traction from a rotator cuff tear, and compression from a space-occupying lesion at the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch.Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for visualizing space-occupying lesions, other pathological entities of the shoulder, and fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff.Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies remain the standard for diagnosis of suprascapular neuropathy; however, data on interobserver reliability are limited.Initial treatment of isolated suprascapular neuropathy is typically nonoperative, consisting of physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and activity modification; however, open or arthroscopic operative intervention is warranted when there is extrinsic nerve compression or progressive pain and/or weakness.More clinical data are needed to determine if treatment of the primary offending etiology in cases of traction from a rotator cuff tear or compression from a cyst secondary to a labral tear is sufficient or whether concomitant decompression of the nerve is warranted for management of the neuropathy.
SN  - 0021-9355
M3  - doi: 10.2106/JBJS.I.01743
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.I.01743
ER  -