Suprascapular nerve lesion as an occupational neuropathy in a semiprofessional dancer

Abstract

A 25-year-old semi-professional dancer developed painless, isolated weakness of external rotation of the right arm. Physical examination was otherwise normal. Electromyography showed selective partial denervation of the infraspinatus muscle. Stimulation of the suprascapular nerve at Erb's point demonstrated delayed conduction to the infraspinatus muscle. Clinical and electrophysiological findings implicated a distal lesion of the suprascapular nerve. Almost complete recovery of muscle function after 4 months of suspending the training program of Latin dances supports the view that the nerve injury occurred as an occupational neuropathy. It is assumed that repetitive, forceful movements of the arm with external rotation and abduction had induced compression of the nerve at the spinoglenoid notch.