The spinal accessory nerve powers the trapezius, a major muscle that stabilises the shoulder blade. When it's injured, the shoulder droops, the shoulder blade wings out, and lifting the arm becomes difficult and painful. So what causes a spinal accessory nerve injury, and how is it treated? What is the spinal accessory nerve? The [...]
The sternoclavicular (SC) joint, where the clavicle meets the sternum, plays a vital role in shoulder movement and upper body stability. Arthritis of this joint can cause significant swelling, discomfort and functional limitations. This article explores the symptoms, causes, assessment, and treatment options for sternoclavicular joint arthritis. Sternoclavicular Joint Arthritis Patients with SC joint [...]
Upper-to-mid-back or shoulder blade pain is a common reason people see a sports doctor or physiotherapist. Common causes include a back muscle strain, rib pain, and cervical or thoracic disc degeneration. A less common but frequently missed cause is dorsal scapular nerve entrapment. So how do we diagnose it, and what can we do [...]
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) causes symptoms in the arm from pressure on the structures running between the collarbone and the first rib — the thoracic outlet. It's easily confused with other conditions that compress nerves and blood vessels in the neck and arm. One cause of TOS is a cervical rib. So what is [...]
