Suprascapular neuropathy: what does the literature show?

Suprascapular Neuropathy: An Overview

“…More specifically it is conducted of the C5 and C6 roots, but also from C4 in some normal anatomical variations, and it arrives after a distally and laterally oriented course to the suprascapular notch, which lies centrally from the coracoid process [4]. Since leaving its origin from the brachial plexus, the nerve passes within the posterior cervical triangle, which is located right backside from the clavicle, then it heads towards the scapula where it surpasses its upper limit, and passes through the suprascapular notch [5]. The suprascapular notch is a depression in the scapular bone, covered by a transverse ligament connecting its edges, and according to the 6 reported anatomical variations, it may vary from a shallow depression, to a bony notch with an ossified overlying ligament [4,6].…”

“…The suprascapular notch is a depression in the scapular bone, covered by a transverse ligament connecting its edges, and according to the 6 reported anatomical variations, it may vary from a shallow depression, to a bony notch with an ossified overlying ligament [4,6]. The suprascapular nerve passes through the notch without its accompanying vessels, which surpass the transverse ligament, observably limited when the notch is fully ossified [5].…”

“…The nerve, continuing its course through the infraspinatus fossa innervates the infraspinatus muscle, and leaves the fossa through its posterolateral limit, where it passes through the spinoglenoid notch, which is located laterally and below the lower limit of the scapular spine [5]. At that specific point, it veers off and heads towards the midline of the body to the infraspinatus fossa travelling along the bottom surface of the infraspinatus.…”

“…Specifically, when the injury is located at the level of the suprascapular notch, it gives birth to symptoms relative to the infraspinatus and the supraspinatus, in sharp contrast to the isolated infraspinatus atrophy which indicates compression at the level of the spinoglenoid notch [2,5].…”

Posterior Labral Tear With a Paralabral Cyst Causing Suprascapular Nerve Compression

“…Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior labral tear with a large, 3.1-cm multiloculated paralabral cyst, which extended into the spinoglenoid and suprascapular notches, likely resulting in significant compression of the suprascapular nerve (FIGURE 2) and mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus edema. [1][2][3] The patient subsequently underwent arthroscopic labral repair and decompression of the suprascapular nerve, and resumed full military and athletic participation 6 months following surgery without any limitations or complaints of pain. …”