Overview
The primary objective of the study is to determine in adult patients with a rotator cuff tear, what size and pattern of rotator cuff tear would result in damage to the suprascapular nerve.
The secondary objectives are
- To determine if an injured suprascapular nerve can recover if the rotator cuff tear is surgically repaired.
- To determine if there is a limit of retraction before the suprascapular nerve is irreversibly damaged.
- To determine factors that are protective against SSN injury.
- Can the patient data gathered be used to optimise operative procedures.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
• All patients age ≥18 years presenting to a UHNM shoulder clinic with a confirmed diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear (affecting one or both shoulders).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Bony pathology (such as significant shoulder arthritis that would exclude isolated rotator cuff repair)
- Grossly abnormal shoulder anatomy
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Cervical cord disease affecting the SSN nerve roots
- Patients unable to undergo MRI scan
- Previous surgery at the affected glenohumeral joint
- Patients unable to tolerate NCS
- Acute fracture affecting the glenohumeral joint
- Recent glenohumeral joint dislocation (past 12 months)
- Patients unable or unwilling to give full informed consent
- Patients unable or unwilling to comply with the study procedures
