Neurovascular Injuries to the Athlete's Shoulder: Part II

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 281 - 289
• Main Authors: Aval, Soheil M, Durand, Pierre, Jr, Shankwiler, James A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Acad Ortho Surgeons 01-05-2007
• Subjects: Arterial Occlusive Diseases - etiology; Athletic Injuries - complications; Athletic Injuries - diagnosis; Axilla - innervation; Axillary Artery - pathology; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes - etiology; Humans; Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology; Paralysis - etiology; Scapula - innervation; Shoulder Joint - blood supply; Shoulder Joint - injuries; Shoulder Joint - innervation; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - etiology; Thrombosis - etiology
• ISSN: 1067-151X; 1940-5480
• DOI: 10.5435/00124635-200705000-00006

Dr. Aval is in private practice, Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Durand is in private practice, Thousand Oaks, CA. Dr. Shankwiler is Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
None of the following authors or the departments with which they are affiliated has received anything of value from or owns stock in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article: Dr. Aval, Dr. Durand, and Dr. Shankwiler.
Reprint requests: Dr. Shankwiler, Congress Associates, Suite 201, 39 Congress Street, Pasadena, CA 91105.
Athletes are at particular risk of compromise of the neurovascular structures of the shoulder—specifically, neurovascular conditions distal to the brachial plexus. These conditions include thoracic outlet syndrome, axillary artery occlusion, effort thrombosis, suprascapular nerve entrapment, quadrilateral space syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome. When diagnosed properly and in a timely fashion, function of the limb can be preserved. To accomplish this, the physician must possess a detailed understanding of the various clinical presentations, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options.