Suprascapular Neuropathy in the Setting of Rotator Cuff Tears: Results of Arthroscopic Treatment (SupraCufTear)

Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki

Status: Completed

Conditions: Rotator Cuff Tear; Entrapment Neuropathy

Treatments: Procedure: Dissection of the superior transverse scapular ligament

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02318381

NSachinisPhD1

Details and patient eligibility

About

Aim of this prospective double blind randomized clinical trial is to understand the correlation of suprascapular neuropathy in the setting of large and massive tears of the shoulder rotator cuff and to investigate whether arthroscopic dissection of the superior transverse scapular ligament is positively related to the improvement of this neuropathy.

Full description

The suprascapular nerve originates from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus with participation from the A5 and A6 spinal nerve roots and occasionally from the A4 root. It is treading behind the clavicle and to the upper border of the scapula and then enters through the scapular notch of the shoulder and below the transverse superior transverse ligament to the rear surface of the scapula. This entry point is an important factor of pressure and surgical dissection of the ligament enlarges the space through which the nerve travels.

The rotator cuff consists of the tendons of subscapularis, supraspinatus , infraspinatus and minor teres muscles. Cadaveric studies have shown that tears in the cuff , particularly massive ruptures a gap more than 5cm, change the path of the suprascapular nerve and create conditions that pressure.

Until now, there are no prospective studies that compare the improvement of suprascapular neuropathy after arthroscopic dissection of the superior transverse scapular ligament in patients with rotator cuff tears , or that study the degree of neuropathy compared with the extent of the rupture .

Enrollment: 37 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Large of Massive repairable rotator cuff tears combined suprascapular neuropathy

Exclusion criteria

• Suprascapular neuropathy of another cause (eg. brachial plexus neuropathy)
• Other surgery at the same shoulder region

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

37 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Patients with suprascapular neuropathy and rotator cuff tear treated arthroscopically without release of the superior transverse scapular ligament.

Ligament Release

Other group

Description:

Patients with suprascapular neuropathy and rotator cuff tear treated arthroscopically with release of the suprascapular nerve. Arthroscopic dissection of the superior transverse scapular ligament

Treatment:

Procedure: Dissection of the superior transverse scapular ligament