Back

I recently was playing a pick up game of football and hit my shoulder really hard. I am now unable to shrug that same shoulder and have been reading about traction injuries of the spinal accessory nerve. If I do have one of these injuries, what is the current treatment recommendation?

Assuming this is your correct diagnosis, the most recent research reviews suggest the “wait and see approach.” Most nerve injuries heal on their own within nine months. That being said, you might benefit from physical therapy to avoid unnecessary compensations and pain. It is also recommended that you have multiple electromyographies to make sure the nerve is healing.

« Back