Neuralgic Amyotrophy Following Rotator Cuff Repair: A Patient's Experience

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is an uncommon but potentially debilitating cause of pain and weakness that is felt to be inflammatory in nature. This patient-focused case report describes the experience of a 64-year-old active male who developed severe periscapular pain eight days after uncomplicated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tenodesis, followed by marked weakness and inability to abduct the shoulder. He was treated with prolonged, progressive physical therapy, including passive and assisted range-of-motion exercises, isometric strengthening, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Functional recovery was slow but substantial: he resumed modified climbing at one year and achieved near-symmetric strength and full range of motion by 17 months, with return to high-level activity within two years. This case illustrates the characteristic phasic recovery of NA and emphasizes that meaningful recovery often occurs over an extended period.