Complete Spinal Accessory Nerve Palsy From Carrying Climbing Gear.
We report an unusual case of spinal accessory nerve palsy sustained while transporting climbing gear. Spinal accessory nerve injury is commonly a result of iatrogenic surgical trauma during lymph node excision. This particular nerve is less frequently injured by blunt trauma. The case reported here results from compression of the spinal accessory nerve for a sustained period-that is, carrying a load over the shoulder using a single nylon rope for 2.5 hours. This highlights the importance of using proper load-carrying equipment to distribute weight over a greater surface area to avoid nerve compression in the posterior triangle of the neck. The signs and symptoms of spinal accessory nerve palsy and its etiology are discussed. This report is particularly relevant to individuals involved in mountaineering and rock climbing but can be extended to anyone carrying a load with a strap over one shoulder and across the body.
Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA (Dr Warme). Electronic address: jess.coult@gmail.com.
Jess M
JM
Coulter
Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA (Dr Warme).
Winston J
WJ
Warme
D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D061227:Accessory Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
cranial nerve XI injury; rock climbing; scapular dyskinesis; spinal accessory nerve injury; spinal accessory nerve trauma; trapezius dysfunction