Purpose
To report clinical outcomes following arthroscopic suprascapular nerve (SSN) decompression
for suprascapular neuropathy at the suprascapular and/or spinoglenoid notch in the
absence of major concomitant pathology.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of 19 patients who underwent
SSN release at the suprascapular and/or spinoglenoid notch between April 2006 and
August 2017 with ≥2 years of follow-up. Patients who underwent concomitant rotator
cuff or labral repairs or had severe osteoarthritis were excluded. Pre- and postoperative
strength and patient-reported outcomes were collected, including the American Shoulder
and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE), Quick Disabilities
of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), 12-item Short Form (SF-12), and satisfaction.
Complications and revisions were recorded.
Results
At a mean final follow-up of 4.8 years, pre- to postoperative ASES (64.9 ± 18.7 versus
83.5 ± 23.1; P = .018), QuickDASH (28.7 ± 17.2 versus 12.7 ± 17.1; P = .028), SANE (64.3 ± 16.4 versus 80.8 ± 22.3; P = .034), and SF-12 PCS (41.1 ± 10.8 versus 52.3 ± 5.8; P = .007) scores all significantly improved. Median strength for external rotation
improved significantly (4 [range 2 to 5] versus 5 [range 3 to 5]; P = .014). There was no statistically significant improvement in median strength for
abduction (4 [range 3 to 5] versus 5 [5]; P = .059). Median postoperative satisfaction was 9 (range 1 to 10), with 8 patients
(50%) rating satisfaction ≥9. No complications were observed, and no patients went
on to revision surgery.
Conclusion
Arthroscopic SSN decompression for suprascapular neuropathy at the suprascapular and/or
spinoglenoid notch in the absence of major concomitant glenohumeral pathology results
in good functional outcomes with significant improvements from before to after surgery.
Level of Evidence
IV, therapeutic case series.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 19, 2020
Accepted:
October 11,
2020
Received:
April 17,
2020
See commentary on page 508Footnotes
The authors report the following potential conflicts of interest or sources of funding: B.P.E. reports other, Arthrex, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur. J.A.G. reports other, Supreme Orthopedics, Smith & Nephew; grants and other, Arthrex; grants, DJO; personal fees, Bioventus. M.P.H. reports other, Arthrex, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur. P.C.N. reports personal fees, Arthrex; other, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur. T.E.W. reports other, Arthrex, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur. A-K.T. reports other, Arthrex, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur. P.J.M. reports grants, personal fees, and other, Arthrex; other, Smith & Nephew, Siemens, Ossur, VuMedi; personal fees, Medibridge, Springer. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online, as supplementary material.
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© 2020 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America
