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Suprascapular nerve entrapment is a painful condition that affects the shoulder, caused by the suprascapular nerve getting pinched. This can lead to discomfort and weakness in the shoulder area. Although it isn’t very common, it can happen from some work activities, especially those that require lifting the arms overhead frequently.
Several factors can lead to this nerve getting pinched, particularly in areas near bony structures where the nerve passes through. Sometimes, ganglion cysts related to the shoulder joint can contribute to this pressure. In other people, issues like a large rotator cuff tear may be the cause behind suprascapular neuropathy.
Job duties which involve a lot of overhead movements, can trigger this nerve issue, but it’s not the only cause. Direct impacts to the arm, like falling from a ladder, or repetitive motions can also lead to nerve entrapment.
The main symptoms include a burning and aching pain at the back and side of the shoulder. The pain can start suddenly or build up gradually. It can also spread down the arms. People with this condition often notice weakness in their shoulders when trying to lift things. Over time, muscle wasting in the affected areas may occur.
If you think you might have suprascapular neuropathy, the first step is to see a doctor and get some imaging tests to closely examine the shoulder area. In addition to looking at the standard images, doctors will also look specifically at the suprascapular notch. You also want to make sure your notify your employer ASAP.
Sometimes, an MRI of the shoulder is needed to check for swelling in the muscles. Ultrasound may also be important for this diagnosis, as it gives clear and detailed information. In addition, electrodiagnostic studies are beneficial for assessing suprascapular neuropathy. An EMG test can show signs of nerve damage, like sharp waves and unusual muscle signals.
There are a number of treatment options for suprascapular nerve entrapment. If your condition isn’t causing too much pain or it isn’t limiting your activities, conservative measures like physical therapy may be enough. The goal of physical therapy is to alleviate the symptoms and stop the condition from getting worse.
If conservative treatments don’t work, surgery may be the next step. The surgical approach aims to relieve pressure on the nerve by widening the suprascapular notch, depending on where the compression is happening.
In addition to regular surgery, arthroscopic surgery may be a treatment option. This procedure involves inserting a tiny camera through a small incision to access the shoulder joint. Many patients report significant improvements in pain and mobility after the surgery.
Besides therapy and surgery, nerve blocks can also provide relief for suprascapular neuropathy. This method involves injecting anesthetic near the suprascapular nerve to numb it, helping to reduce the shoulder pain associated with the condition.
If you are suffering from suprascapular nerve entrapment as a result of your job activities or a traumatic incident that occurred at work, you may be entitled to workers compensation. As this is a major injury, often these cases are worth a significant amount of money. That is on top of having all of your medical bills paid for and being compensated for time off of work.
The medicine behind this injury is complex. You want to make sure your attorney is experienced and understands this type of shoulder problem. We have a state wide network of attorneys who can help. Call us any time at 312-346-5578 for a free consultation.
