Experience with surgery for entrapment syndrome of the suprascapular nerve.

BACKGROUND

The suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome accounts for about 1-2% of all causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction. Entrapment may occur at different levels and a frequent site of compression is the suprascapular notch, the upper border of which is the superior transverse scapular ligament.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 5 patients with entrapment of the suprascapular nerve at the suprascapular notch, analyzing the pathomechanism of the compression syndrome. The outcome of the surgical treatment was evaluated by examining the improvement in strength of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles based on the Narakas method. The degree of recovery of atrophy of the muscles and pain was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Following surgical treatment, pain subsided in 4 patients (80%), muscle strength improved in three (60%) and in 1 patients (20%) there was recovery of muscle mass.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of surgery for suprascapular entrapment depend on appropriate differential diagnosis, early detection and prompt referral for operative treatment whenever such is necessary.