Korean J Pain.  2006 Dec;19(2):296-298. 10.3344/kjp.2006.19.2.296.

The Treatment of a Droopy Shoulder Syndrome Patient: A case report

• Park EY
• Shim JK
• Rhee HD
• Kim WO
• Yoon KB
• Yoon DM

• KMID: 2073952
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2006.19.2.296

Abstract

Droopy shoulder syndrome (DSS) is a rare disease, characterized by drooping shoulders, which stretches the brachial plexus, and causes pain, but without any signs of neurological impairment. These patients suffer from pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and hands, which result in long, graceful, swan necks, low-set shoulders, and horizontal or down sloping clavicles. No abnormalities in the vascular, neurological or electrical findings have also been known. The T1 and/or T2 bodies can be seen in the lateral view in a radiological study of the cervical spine. In the majority of cases, conservative treatments, such as postural correction and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise, are commonly recommended. However, DSS may be misdiagnosed as severe thoracic outlet syndrome or herniated cervical disc disease, leading to unnecessary and hazardous invasive treatments. The presented case was consistent with DSS, and was treated with stellate ganglion block, trigger point injection, and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise.

Keyword

brachial plexus; droopy shoulder syndrome; thoracic outlet syndrome

MeSH Terms

Arm
Brachial Plexus
Clavicle
Hand
Humans
Neck
Rare Diseases
Shoulder*
Spine
Stellate Ganglion
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Trigger Points