The suprascapular nerve is a nerve in the shoulder. The scapula is the bone that is commonly known as the “shoulder blade.” The bone serves as a protector for many of the nerves of the back and arm that lie underneath it. The suprascapular nerve can become compressed and entrapped, resulting in unpleasant suprascapular nerve entrapment symptoms.
Symptoms
Shoulder pain is the primary symptom of suprascapular nerve entrapment. There may be severe pain or general discomfort, which can be localized to a small area or spread over a large area, usually in the top or back of the shoulder.
The pain might be intensified when the arm is lifted or any overhead lifting or activity is performed.
The nerve entrapment can also result in a heaviness of the arm and shoulder fatigue. Because this condition results from an injury, it usually only occurs on one side, so the heaviness or fatigue can be quite marked and easy to recognize.
In addition to pain, sufferers may notice a weakness of the arm and shoulder area, tenderness in the shoulder. Severe cases will eventually result in atrophy or shrinkage of the muscle surrounding the injury as the body attempts to compensate for the weakness.
Common Causes
Contact sports can cause this type of injury and compression. Repeated activities can also cause the injury, when repeated motions overhead occur. Examples of this would include basketball and volleyball. Another cause can be poor physical condition and lack of strength and flexibility.
A cyst can form under the shoulder joint and cause pressure on the nerve at the top of the shoulder blade, which can result in the suprascapular nerve entrapment symptoms. A repetitive stretch injury, perhaps from a job that involves a large amount of overhead lifting, can also cause this condition.
Prevention and Treatment
Stretching and conditioning of the area, especially before any strenuous physical activity or repeated overhead activity (such as taking books or boxes off a shelf) will help to prevent the injury from occurring.
If you’ve already had an injury and are experiencing suprascapular nerve entrapment symptoms, you can see a specialist to arrange for care that will treat your problem. A chiropractor will likely be able to help. There are also shoulder nerve specialists available in some areas, you can ask your general practitioner for a referral. There are both non-operative and operative treatments available for sufferers of suprascapular nerve entrapment symptoms.
