Release suprascapular nerve during arthroscopic suture of the suprascapular muscle

   There is still no consensus as to whether decompression of the suprascapular nerve should be performed routinely with suture the supraspinatus tendon.

   Purpose: to investigate the effect of the release of the supra-scapular nerve during arthroscopic suture the supraspinatus tendon.

   Materials and methods: The study included 60 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted patients who have arthroscopic suture the supraspinatus tendon with supra-scapular nerve release. Group 2 included patients with the same operation without performing the release. The assessment was carried out before the operation by DASH, VASH scales, and then at the terms of 1, 6, 12 months after the operation and the degree of dystrophy according to the Gutalier classification in MRI T1 weighted mode before the operation, and then 3, 6, 12 months after the operation.

   Results: A difference was found in the DASH estimate at 1 month (p-level <0.01). A difference was found in the assessment of VAS at 1 month (p-level = 0.01). The difference between the groups in the assessment of fatty degeneration according to the Gutal classification was detected at 3 months (p-level = 0.03). There was no difference in other control points.

   Discussion: there is really no consensus it is necessary to complement the operation of arthroscopic suture supraspinatus tendon with suprascapular nerve release in the superior notch, however, from our own experience we saw positive results in the first month after the operation and decided to introduce this technique into our routine practice in order to improve results in early recovery period after suture supraspinatus tendon.

   Conclusion: According to the results of our study, we can say that during the operation suture supraspinatus tendon, the additional release of the suprascapular nerve improves the pain level indicators in the early stages of 1-3 months.

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