Neurovascular injuries to the athlete's shoulder: Part I

The neurovascular structures traversing the shoulder region can be compromised in a number of ways. Athletes are particularly at risk of neurovascular injury to the shoulder as the result of extreme force and stress on the shoulder girdle. Many such injuries have been described in the literature as cervical radiculitis, spinal accessory nerve injury, long thoracic nerve palsy, burner (stinger) syndrome, and brachial neuritis. A high index of diagnostic acumen and proper selection of clinical assessment and imaging techniques are needed to diagnose such injuries.