Suprascapular nerve entrapment in newsreel cameramen.
OBJECTIVE
To determine presence of suprascapular nerve entrapment in a group of newsreel cameramen.


METHODS
Thirty-six men working as newsreel cameramen participated in the study. In addition to musculoskeletal and neurologic examinations, bilateral suprascapular nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography were performed. A group of 19 healthy, male volunteers were included in the study as normal controls for suprascapular nerve conduction studies.


RESULTS
In newsreel cameramen, mean suprascapular nerve latency was 3.20 +/- 0.56 msec and 2.84 +/- 0.36 msec for right and left shoulders, respectively (P = 0.001). The mean latency difference between right and left suprascapular nerves was -0.05 +/- 0.19 msec in the control group and 0.36 +/- 0.58 msec in the cameramen group (P < 0.001). Six subjects' right suprascapular nerve motor latencies were 2 SD above the normal mean values. There was no relationship between suprascapular nerve latencies and the age, professional life, and number of hours worked daily by the subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Carrying a heavy, mobile camera on the shoulder might cause suprascapular nerve entrapment in newsreel cameramen. This could be considered an occupational disorder of the suprascapular nerve, like meat-packer's neuropathy.
Karataş
Gülçin Kaymak
GK
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Göğüş
Feride
F
D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation