Difficulty of Right Shoulder Abduction Secondary to Dorsal Scapular Neuropathy: A Case Report

Difficulty of Right Shoulder Abduction Secondary to Dorsal Scapular Neuropathy: A Case Report

A 23-year-old male patient visited with chief complaint of difficulty in right arm elevation. Passive range of motion of right shoulder was not limited and no neurologic deficits of right upper extremity were observed. Winged scapular was observed in right side but he denied pain or discomfort on shoulder and interscapular area. Electrodiagnostic study revealed decreased action potential on motor nerve conduction study of right dorsal scapular nerve and abnormal spontaneous activity on needle electromyography of right levator scapulae and rhomboids. Even if a patient does not complain of shoulder or interscapular pain, the possibility of DSNP should be considered in a case of difficulty in arm elevation. The patient should be assessed with careful examination, radiological and electrodiagnostic studies, which may be helpful for making exact diagnosis that may eventually lead to appropriate treatment plan.

A 23-year-old male patient visited with chief complaint of difficulty in right arm elevation. Passive range of motion of right shoulder was not limited and no neurologic deficits of right upper extremity were observed. Winged scapular was observed in right side but he denied pain or discomfort on shoulder and interscapular area. Electrodiagnostic study revealed decreased action potential on motor nerve conduction study of right dorsal scapular nerve and abnormal spontaneous activity on needle electromyography of right levator scapulae and rhomboids. Even if a patient does not complain of shoulder or interscapular pain, the possibility of DSNP should be considered in a case of difficulty in arm elevation. The patient should be assessed with careful examination, radiological and electrodiagnostic studies, which may be helpful for making exact diagnosis that may eventually lead to appropriate treatment plan.