Neurovascular injury in shoulder girdle trauma

Abstract

Trauma to the shoulder girdle has known associations with neurological and/or vascular injury. The presentation of these can be subtle and could potentially be missed, particularly if the clinician does not maintain a high index of suspicion and clinically examine and investigate appropriately. A missed injury could be detrimental for the patient, both increasing morbidity and affecting long-term outcome. This is especially true for neurological injury, in which missing the window for effective reinnervation procedures can have a lifelong negative impact. Nerve injuries can be difficult to classify clinically in the initial stages and it is crucial to know when nerve conduction studies and imaging are useful, and when early nerve exploration is warranted. Injuries to neurological or vascular structures generally benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best outcomes. This article describes common nerve and vascular injuries associated with shoulder girdle trauma, along with approaches to assessment, investigation and timely management.