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Arthroscopic Suprascapular Nerve Release in the Young High-Risk Patient

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Rotator Cuff Across the Life Span

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Abstract

Suprascapular nerve compression is a disease entity not easily recognized or well understood by many surgeons. Compression at the transverse scapular ligament, the more common finding in patients than realized in the past, can often result in weakness and atrophy of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles as compression occurs at the suprascapular notch prior to the nerve giving rise to motor branches to each of these muscles. Compression at the spinoglenoid ligament, although thought to be rare, is often the result of repetitive overhead activities in either athletes or laborers and results in weakness and atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle.

Arthroscopic release of the suprascapular nerve at both the transverse scapular ligament and the spinoglenoid ligament can be a successful intervention to alleviate pain in the management of posterior shoulder pain in patients with suprascapular nerve entrapment, even with significant muscle atrophy. The arthroscopic technique provides excellent visualization, is less invasive, protects vital neurovascular structures, decreases morbidity, and allows for a faster recovery and return to activities of daily living, as well as work and sporting activities. This article will aid the surgeon in making a correct diagnosis with detailed recommendations for appropriate arthroscopic decompression of the suprascapular nerve at both the transverse scapular ligament and spinoglenoid ligament.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Foundation, Stamford, CT, USA

    Stephanie C. Petterson & Kevin D. Plancher

  2. Plancher Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Kevin D. Plancher

  3. Department of Orthopaedics, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Kevin D. Plancher

Authors
  1. Stephanie C. Petterson
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  2. Kevin D. Plancher
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Correspondence to Kevin D. Plancher .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Sportsmedicine, University of Munich (TUM), Orthopaedic Sportsmedicine, Munich, Bayern, Germany

    Andreas B. Imhoff

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Felix H. Savoie III

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Petterson, S.C., Plancher, K.D. (2019). Arthroscopic Suprascapular Nerve Release in the Young High-Risk Patient. In: Imhoff, A.B., Savoie, F.H. (eds) Rotator Cuff Across the Life Span. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58729-4_53

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58729-4_53

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-58728-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-58729-4

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