A new strategy for treatment of suprascapular entrapment neuropathy in athletes: Shaving of the base of the scapular spine.

A study of three volleyball teams comprising 40 players demonstrated the frequent occurrence of infraspinatus muscle atrophy. Anatomic studies of the suprascapular nerve in 20 cadavers revealed the possibility of entrapment of the nerve at the spinoglenoid notch. Four athletes with suprascapular neuropathy were followed up after surgical treatment. Shaving of the lateral edge of the base of the scapular spine proved effective. However, it is suggested that preventive measures such as strengthening of the infraspinatus muscle are important because suprascapular neuropathy in athletes is combined to at least some degree with damage to the muscle itself.