This study investigated the effects of a targeted shoulder intervention on pain and rotational mobility in Greco- Roman wrestlers and examined the anatomical characteristics of articular nerve branches supplying the glenohumeral joint. Twenty wrestlers with shoulder discomfort underwent an intervention involving manual pressure applied to the greater tubercle, lesser tubercle, and coracoid process combined with active shoulder movements. Shoulder medial and lateral rotation angles were measured using a goniometer, and pain and movement discomfort were assessed using a visual analog scale before and after the intervention. Additionally, detailed dissections of twelve embalmed cadavers were performed to identify the origin and course of articular branches from the brachial plexus. Following the intervention, pain scores markedly decreased, medial rotation was reduced, and lateral rotation increased. Anatomical analysis revealed a long and independently coursing articular branch arising from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and supplying the glenohumeral joint. Owing to its prolonged and isolated course, this branch may be susceptible to entrapment or mechanical irritation caused by hypertrophied or structurally altered surrounding musculature, potentially contributing to shoulder pain in wrestlers. These findings suggest that targeted pressure combined with active movement may improve shoulder pain and mobility through mechanical and neurophysiological mechanisms.
KEY WORDS: Shoulder pain; Wrestler; Anatomical study; Bony landmark.
KIM, B .H. & JEON, A. Gross anatomical study on the application of humeral bony landmarks for shoulder pain recovery in greco-roman wrestlers and cases involving the articular branches of the glenohumeral joint. Int. J. Morphol., 44(3):888-893, 2026.
