Suprascapular Neuropathy

Suprascapular neuropathy is an injury to the nerves that supply the muscles of the upper shoulder.

Causes

• Serving in tennis can create shoulder injuries

  Suprascapular neuropathy is caused by repetitive motion of the shoulder when the arm is above the head and rotated backward. It can also be caused by falling on the arm while it's outstretched or receiving a direct hit to the shoulder.

Common Sports

• Swimmers often suffer from this nerve problem.

  The sports most commonly associated with suprascapular neuropathy are volleyball, baseball, weightlifting, swimming and tennis.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of suprascapular neuropathy include a dull pain or ache in the shoulder muscles and weakness while lifting the arm up and behind the head. More severe cases may involve upper shoulder muscles that get smaller due to wasting.

Misconceptions

• Suprascapular neuropathy is often misdiagnosed as other more common shoulder ailments such as rotator cuff injury.

Diagnosis

• An MRI can help doctors properly diagnose this shoulder condition.

  An MRI and physical exam are needed to properly diagnose suprascapular neuropathy.

Treatment

• Physical therapy may be used to treat suprascapular neuropathy.

  Treatment may include rest, physical therapy and surgery to release pressure from the nerves that supply the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles of the shoulder.