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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 shoulder pain and mimics other conditions. Early recognition of DSN neuropathy symptoms and anatomy is key for diagnosis, though evidence for treatment is limited.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Musculoskeletal Medicine
Background:
- Periscapular and interscapular pain are common, but dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) entrapment neuropathy is often overlooked.
- DSN pathology can mimic various cervical, shoulder, and upper-extremity disorders, leading to diagnostic delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the anatomy, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of DSN entrapment neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted.
- Included were English-language clinical studies, case reports, case series, and anatomical/diagnostic studies on DSN pathology.
Main Results:
- The DSN most commonly originates from C5 and is often entrapped in the middle scalene muscle.
- Patients present with medial scapular pain, dyskinesis, rhomboid weakness, and winging, mimicking other conditions.
- Diagnosis can be supported by EMG/NCS, ultrasound, and MRI, with conservative treatment as first-line therapy.
Conclusions:
- DSN entrapment neuropathy is an under-recognized cause of periscapular pain requiring recognition of clinical and anatomical features.
- Limited evidence from low-level studies necessitates prospective research with standardized criteria for diagnosis and outcomes.
