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Study shows distal peripheral neuropathy common after shoulder surgery
After shoulder surgery, distal peripheral neuropathy is a relatively common complication that can be resolved with nonoperative management, according to researchers.
The researchers retrospectively reviewed data for patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) during a 2-year period. The study’s primary outcome measure was the diagnosis of distal peripheral neuropathy (DPN), defined as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome or distal radial sensory neuropathy. The researchers recorded patient demographics and clinical course of DPN. Mean follow-up was 21 months for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), 15 months for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and 12 months for RCR.
Results showed 7.1% of patients who underwent TSA, 12.3% of patients who underwent RSA and 2.79% of patients who underwent RCR were diagnosed with DPN. The researchers found cubital tunnel syndrome was the most common neuropathy for TSA and RSA, whereas carpal tunnel syndrome was most common for RCR. Compared with the RCR group, patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty had a higher risk of DPN.
According to the researchers, complete resolution of symptoms occurred in 33.3% of TSA cases, 42.86% of RSA cases and 71.43% of RCR cases after nonsurgical treatment of DPN. However, the researchers found surgical decompression was required in 16.7% of TSAs, 14.3% of RSAs and 4.76% of RCRs among patients with DPN, with 100% of patients experiencing complete resolution of symptoms after surgical decompression. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Thomasson has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.