Perks of a Structured Rehabilitation in Suprascapular Neuropathy Injury Post Proximal Humerus Fracture: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 43-year-old man with a shoulder injury and nerve damage recovered through structured physical therapy after a bike accident.

Contribution

This case report highlights the effectiveness of structured rehabilitation in suprascapular neuropathy following a proximal humerus fracture.

Findings

A well-planned physical therapy program improved shoulder joint range of motion and strength.

Rehabilitation prevented muscle atrophy and enhanced quality of life in the patient.

Motor neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve was successfully managed post-surgery with physiotherapy.

Abstract

Road traffic accidents lead to extensive damage to superficial as well as deep components in the body. Neurological structures that are affected due to open injuries have major impairments in the day-to-day life of an individual. High trauma incidents lead to nerve injuries, which are a common occurrence secondary to fractures after such falls. Nerve entrapment, nerve compression, nerve denervation, or demyelination usually result in the wasting of muscles supplied by it, which eventually causes muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy limits the ability of an individual to move the extremities to achieve functional activities. Sensory neuropathy, in addition to motor neuropathy, is an associated complication. Physical therapy interventions are observed to play a significant role in nerve and muscle injury rehabilitation courses, thus improving quality of life. This report presents a case of a 43-year-old male who came to the hospital with complaints of pain and inability to move the shoulder after his bike was hit by a truck from behind and he experienced a fall. The patient presented to an orthopedic surgeon who took X-ray, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) investigations and confirmed fracture of greater tuberosity of the humerus and motor neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve. He was surgically treated and was referred to the physiotherapy outpatient department for postoperative management. A well-planned physical therapy program aimed to improve the range of motion and strength of the affected shoulder joint while preventing atrophy, thus improving quality of life.

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