Neuropathy Associated with Massive Rotator Cuff Tear and The Effect of Tendon Repair on Improvement of Neuropathy

Background: The association between massive rotator cuff tear (RCT) and peripheral neuropathy has been suggested, but the findings on this subject are often inconsistent. In the present prospective study, we assessed the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with massive RCT. The effect of surgical repair of rotator tear on the treatment outcomes of neuropathy will be also evaluated. Methods: In this study, 58 patients were evaluated with a massive. All the patients underwent open repair using anchor suture instrumentation. Electrmyelography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity(NCV)tests, to check for neuropathy, were performed before surgery. In addition, before and after the surgery, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was calculated for all the patients. Pain intensity was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS). The Patients were followed up for 6 months. In the final visit, EMG/NCV was reper formed for those patients with neuropathy. Results: In the 58 patients, total of 8 patients with neuropathy were observed (13.5[degrees] presented with supra scapular neuropathy, 2 upper trunk neuropathy and 1 case of axillary neuropathy. In the final visit, all the cases except for one supra scapular and one upper trunk neuropathy had recovered. The average final Quick DASH score reduced to 19.7 from the pre-operative value of 72.