Comparison of clinical outcome of decompression of suprascapular nerve at spinoglenoid notch for patients with posterosuperior massive rotator cuff tears and suprascapular neuropathy

Purpose In the present study, we aimed to determine whether decompression of suprascapular nerve (SSN) at the spinoglenoid notch could lead to a better functional outcome for the patients who underwent repairment of rotator cuff due to posterosupeior massive rotator cuff tear (MRCT) and suprascapular neuropathy. Methods A total of 20 patients with posterosuperior MRCT and suprascapular neuropathy were analyzed in the present work. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed rotator cuff tear in supraspinatus and infraspinatus. All patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients were divided into two groups (group A: non-releasing, group B: releasing) according to whether the SSN at the spinoglenoid notch was decompressed. The modified University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA) and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire were adopted to assess the function of the affected shoulder preoperatively and 12 months after the operation. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study (NCS) were used to evaluate the nerve condition. Patients underwent MRI and EMG/NCS at 6 months after operation and last follow-up. Results All patients were satisfied with the treatment. MRI showed that it was well-healed in 19 patients at 6 months after the operation. However, the fatty infiltration of supraspinatus and infraspinatus was not reversed. Only one patient in the non-releasing group showed the retear. The retear rate of group A and group B were 30% (3/10) and 20% (2/10) respectively at 12 months after the operation. One patient undergoing SSN decompression complained of discomfort in the infraspinatus area. His follow-up EMG after 6 months showed fibrillation potentials (1+) and positive sharp waves (1+) in the infraspinatus. The other patients' EMG results showed no abnormality. The postoperative UCLA and VAS scores were improved in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions Patients with postersuperior MRCT and suprascapular neuropathy, decompression of suprascapular nerve at spinoglenoid notch didn't lead to a better functional outcome with the repairment of rotator cuff. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair could reverse the suprascapular neuropathy.