Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved in cervical radiculopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To correspond scapular pain with the nerve root involved in cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: In the anatomic study, 11 Japanese adult cadavers were dissected to examine the numbers and courses of the cutaneous nerves from C3 to C8 dorsal rami. In the clinical study, 14 men and 11 women aged 34 to 77 years who presented with scapular pain as well as pain, numbness or motor weakness in the upper limbs secondary to cervical radiculopathy were assessed. The involved nerve roots were identified based on the symptoms and signs in the arm and/ or fingers, the radiological diagnosis, and the pain response to cervical nerve root blocks. The sites and characteristics of radicular pain were assessed.

Results: In the anatomic study of 22 cutaneous nerves from medial branches of dorsal rami, 18 involved the C5 nerve root, 0 the C6 root, one the C7 root, and 8 the C8 root. In the clinical study, the radicular pain often occurred in the suprascapular region involving the C5 root, in the suprascapular to posterior deltoid region involving the C6 root, in the interscapular region involving the C7 root, and in the interscapular and scapular regions involving the C8 root. All patients with C5 or C8 radiculopathy had both superficial and deep pain, whereas almost all patients with C6 or C7 radiculopathy had deep pain only. No patient had superficial pain only.

Conclusion: Cervical radiculopathy can cause scapular pain. Pain sites and characteristics are related to the affected nerve root.