Unusual Case of a Volleyball Athlete Presenting with Posterior Shoulder Pain and Infraspinatus Muscle Wasting

INTRODUCTION: Entrapment of the suprascapular nerve is an uncommon but important differential in patients who present with posterior shoulder pain. Frequently misdiagnosed as rotator cuff or cervical disc disease, this increasingly recognized entity can result from traction-related or compression-related etiology. Two sites of compression include the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches with the latter less commonly encountered. CASE REPORT: In our study, we describe a case of arthroscopic decompression of suprascapular nerve entrapment at the spinoglenoid notch due to hypertrophied spinoglenoid ligament using an improvised arthroscopic technique. CONCLUSION: Spinoglenoid notch compression of the suprascapular nerve is an important cause of posterior shoulder pain with infraspinatus wasting. A clear understanding of the nerve anatomy and the common site of compression allow for accurate diagnosis. The modified arthroscopic technique described is easily reproducible and provides good visualization of the anatomy, allowing adequate and safe decompression of the suprascapular nerve.