Abstract
Suprascapular neuropathy is a rare compressive neuropathy manifested by dorsal shoulder pain and weakness of shoulder abduction and external rotation. Complete symptoms are expressed in nerve compression under the suprascapular notch or in post-traumatic lesions.
Isolated atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle with weakness of external rotation of the shoulder occurs in cases of compression of the distal part of the nerve by a paralabral cyst or in repetitive overhead activities, typically in elite volleyball or tennis players. Needle electromyography remains the gold standard in confirming diagnosis.
In the vast majority of cases, conservative treatment is sufficient. In 20% of patients, surgical decompression of the nerve is indicated, leading in most cases to pain relief and improvement in muscle strength.