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Dorsal scapular nerve entrapment: a systematic review
Ahmadreza Afshar1, Ali Tabrizi1, Mohammad Javad Shariyate1
1Department of Orthopedics, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques
|July 26, 2026
Summary
Dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) entrapment causes under-recognized shoulder pain, mimicking other conditions. Early recognition of DSN neuropathy symptoms and anatomy aids diagnosis, with conservative treatment preferred initially.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Periscapular and interscapular pain are common, yet dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) entrapment neuropathy is often overlooked.
- DSN pathology can mimic various cervical, shoulder, and upper-extremity conditions, leading to diagnostic delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on DSN entrapment neuropathy.
- To consolidate information on DSN anatomy, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
- Included English-language clinical studies, case reports, case series, and anatomical/diagnostic studies.
- Excluded non-English, duplicate, or unrelated studies.
Main Results:
- Literature is mainly case reports and small series; DSN often arises from C5, with the middle scalene muscle being a common entrapment site.
- Patients present with medial scapular pain, dyskinesis, rhomboid weakness, and winging, mimicking other disorders.
- Diagnosis can be supported by EMG/NCS (operator-dependent) or imaging (ultrasound/MRI); conservative treatment is first-line, with limited evidence for surgery.
Conclusions:
- DSN entrapment neuropathy is an under-recognized cause of periscapular pain requiring clinical awareness.
- Accurate diagnosis hinges on recognizing clinical features and understanding nerve anatomy.
- Limited evidence necessitates prospective studies with standardized criteria for DSN neuropathy management.
