Suprascapular neuropathy: An often overlooked cause of shoulder pain and weakness

Abstract

A 30-year-old painter developed pain in the right posterior shoulder region after 1 month of intensive work. Pain intensified as he continued his job, and finally he noticed weakness of the involved shoulder, which led him to seek medical advice.He was referred to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from orthopedics as a case of rotator cuff injury. Examination was normal except for atrophy of infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscle on the involved side and decreased strength of shoulder on abduction and external rotation. Routine X-ray were normal. Electromyographic examination demonstrated denervation of the right infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscle. A diagnosis of right suprascapular neuropathy was made. The patient is being treated conservatively since the past 3 months and has showed significant improvement in power and relief in pain.