Suprascapular Nerve Injury

There is increasing interest in the literature regarding the clinical delineation of suprascapular nerve (SSN) injuries. While the underlying etiology of SSN neuropathy remains elusive, multiple compression, traction, and inflammatory pathophysiologic cascades have been previously considered. The latter are often readily grouped together with other clinical manifestations of SSN dysfunction and inevitably become labeled as idiopathic. The anatomically tortuous course of the SSN predisposes it to direct mechanical compression at the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches. Moreover, anatomic variations along the nerve's course as well as occupational or athletic overuse conditions, especially in overhead athletes, can predispose the SSN varying degrees of dysfunction.