The droopy shoulder syndrome

Droopy shoulder syndrome (DSS) is characterized by a depression of the shou lders that stretches the brachial plexus, thus causing pain without any sig ns of neurological impairment. We describe ten patients with DSS; all had b een treated for different diagnoses before. Contrary to previous reports, t hree patients had unilateral involvement, and five had accompanying disease of the cervical-shoulder region. All patients responded well to conservati ve treatment in 2-10 weeks. DSS must be kept in mind in the differential di agnosis of pain in the cervical-shoulder region, to prevent unnecessary med ication.