Arthroscopic release of proximal supra-scapular nerve entrapment: Medium-term results.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological results in the medium term of the arthroscopic release of the proximal entrapment of the suprascapular nerve.
Material and Method: It is a retrospective study that includes 75 patients with idiopathic entrapment of the suprascapular nerve in the suprascapular notch in whom conservative treatment has failed. All patients underwent electrophysiological tests (EMG) as well as clinical test (Constant and DASH test) preoperatively and during follow-up.
Results: 75 patients (53 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 44.1 ± 10.7 years met study criteria with a mean follow-up of 63.7 ± 29.1 months. Preoperatively the DASH value was 78,6 ± 10,2, the Constant test value was 37.1 ±8.8 and the EVA value was 8.8 ± 1.1 while the values in the last revision were 19.4 ± 15.8 for DASH, 80.2 ± 9.6 (for the CS and 2 ±1.3 for the EVA scale; the differences were significant in all cases (P<.001). Regarding the results of the electrophysiological test, preoperatively there were 21 very severe grades (28%), 32 severe (42.6%), 17 moderate (22.6%) and 5 mild (6.6%). While in the last review there were 3 severe degrees (4%), 6 moderate (8%), 40 mild (53.3%) and 26 normal (34.6%). There was no very severe grade (0%); 3 patients (4%) had to be reoperated due to persistent symptons.
Conclusions: The arthroscopic release of idiopathic entrapment of the suprascapular nerve in the superior scapular notch achieved good clinical and electrophysiological results in the medium term.
Level of Evidence: iv; case series; treatment study.
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