Effect of Contralateral Cervical Glide on the Suprascapular Nerve: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Background: Suprascapular neuropathy is a known cause of shoulder pain. Although neurodynamic techniques are widely used to treat peripheral neuropathies, the mechanical behavior of the suprascapular nerve in the shoulder region remains poorly understood. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the mechanical behavior of the suprascapular nerve during a contralateral cervical glide and an infraspinatus muscle contraction. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. First, nerve movement was analyzed in 12 cryopreserved cadaveric shoulders using anatomical dissection. Second, suprascapular nerve displacement was assessed in 34 shoulders from 17 healthy volunteers using ultrasound imaging. Results: In cadaveric dissections, the contralateral cervical glide produced a proximal nerve displacement of 1.85 mm at the suprascapular notch. In the ultrasound study, this maneuver resulted in horizontal and vertical displacements of 1.18 mm and 0.39 mm, respectively. In contrast, infraspinatus muscle contraction caused a distal displacement of 3.21 mm in the cadaveric study, and ultrasound imaging showed horizontal and vertical displacements of 1.34 mm and 0.75 mm, respectively. All reported displacements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of both phases of the study contribute to a better understanding of suprascapular nerve biomechanics and may inform clinical neurodynamic interventions.