Is suprascapular neuropathy common in high-performance beach volleyball players? A retrospective analysis.

Abstract

Pain in the shoulder is a common problem in overhead sports and at times goes along with atrophy of the supra- and infraspinatus muscles. A neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve is one possible reason. The aim of the study was to examine the suprascapular nerve in Austrian high-performance beach volleyball players. In this cross-sectional study, 18 high-performance beach volleyball players were included. An electrophysiological examination was performed consecutively. Nerve conduction studies of the suprascapular nerve were performed bilaterally. Needle electromyography was done for the infraspinatus muscle of the dominant arm. Additionally, pain and muscle atrophy were evaluated. No acute or chronic neurogenic changes in the infraspinatus muscle were seen in any player, although atrophy of the suprascapularis innervated muscles was present in five players. A lesion of the suprascapular nerve could not be shown in any of the players. Therefore, a biomechanical cause has to be considered for the clinical symptoms in the present study population.