The possible nerves that can be compressed in this area are the median, musculocutaneous, radial, ulnar nerves. In reviewing the sensation distribution of the above forementioned nerves, it is the radial nerve that would correspond to numbness over the lateral bicep and dorsum of the hand.

Image 1 (with permission from Joe Muscolino, DC, LearnMuscles.com

It should be noted that when the region of the subscapularis near the humerus was palpated and spasms and contractures were discovered, the patient remembered that she woke up that morning sleeping on her left affected arm with her arm extended above her head. This is characteristic of the mechanics of radial nerve injury at the subscapularis near the humerus.

Below is an image of the radial nerve pathway from the cervical spine as it travels under the clavicle and between the subscapularis muscle and humerus, a common place for entrapment.

Image 2 (Chirocredit illustrator)

Question: What treatment methods would you apply to this patient for her numbness related to radial nerve entrapment between the subscapularis muscle and humerus?