English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suprascapular nerve may be compressed anywhere along its course but commonly compressed at the level of suprascapular notch and spinoglenoid notch. Supra-scapular notch is bridged by superior transverse scapular ligament and changes into a foramen which provides passage for suprascapular nerve. When it is completely ossified it becomes suprascapular foramen in dry scapulae. Overhead abduction of shoulder joint exerts traction on the suprascapular nerve, which leads to its compression against superior border of scapula. The risk of suprascapular nerve entrapment increases when the superior transverse scapular ligament gets completely ossified. AIM & OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of complete and partial ossification of suprascapular ligament in north Indian population & compare it with incidence among various races of world. Materials and methods: A total of 224 dry scapulae (Right-110, Left-114) are analyzed to see the complete or partial ossification of suprascapular ligament on superior border of scapula. RESULTS: Scapulae with completely ossified STSL are found in 28 among 224 scapulae (12.5%), in which 18 (8.04%) belongs to right side & 10 (4.46%) to left side, while scapulae with partially ossified STSL are found in 49 among 224 scapulae (21.87%), in which 32 (14.28%) belongs to right side & 17 (7.59%) to left side. The completely and partially ossified STSL both are more common in right side as compared to left side. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrates that suprascapular foramen which is the result of complete ossification of superior transverse scapular ligament, which is not extremely rare in North Indian population. So, the anatomical knowledge about this foramen helps the practicing physicians & surgeons in early diagnosis of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome.