Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection of the Thoracodorsal Nerve and Axillary Nerve in a Gymnast With Shoulder Pain Associated With Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior Lesions: A Case Report

TL;DR

A gymnast with shoulder pain from a labral injury found relief through ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection, offering a new treatment approach for athletes.

Contribution

This case report introduces ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of nerves as a novel therapeutic strategy for SLAP lesion-related shoulder pain in athletes.

Findings

Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the thoracodorsal and axillary nerves provided immediate pain relief.

The treatment improved mobility constraints in the gymnast with a SLAP lesion.

The approach emphasizes shoulder function rather than directly addressing the labral injury.

Abstract

A 20-year-old male national-level gymnast presented with left shoulder pain attributed to a superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesion. Physical examination revealed pain in the anterosuperior area at maximum shoulder elevation, with a positive combined abduction test and horizontal flexion test indicating a restriction in glenohumeral joint motion. Rather than directly addressing the SLAP lesion, ultrasound-guided hydrodissections of the thoracodorsal and axillary nerves were performed, leading to immediate alleviation of pain and mobility constraints. This innovative approach, emphasizing shoulder function, offers a novel therapeutic strategy for SLAP-associated shoulder pain in athletes.

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