Low rate of distal peripheral neuropathy found after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

BOSTON — Patients have a low rate of distal peripheral neuropathy following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, with symptoms clearing up in most patients by 1 year, according to results presented here.

“We have now looked at over 850 patients, both prospectively and retrospectively, and the prevalence is about 2% to 3% for [distal peripheral neuropathy] DPN after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,” Luke S. Austin, MD, said in his presentation at the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Austin and colleagues surveyed 101 patients for symptoms of DPN preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Austin noted 19% of patients had DPN symptoms preoperatively and this number decreased to 12% at 2 weeks postoperatively. However, 8% of the 12% of patients were new patients with DPN symptoms, according to results.

“At 6 weeks, it went down to 8%. At 3 months, there were three patients at 3% who had DPN symptoms,” Austin said. “Two were there preoperatively, and one was a new finding.”

He noted the two preoperative patients still had continued symptoms at 1 year and were seeking treatment.

“Of the one new DPN, it was carpal tunnel [and] it began at 2 weeks,” Austin said. “It was there at 6 weeks, 3 months and at 6 months [that] an EMG was performed. The patient was found to be negative, and those symptoms did resolve by 1 year.” – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Horneff JG 3rd, et al. Paper #41. Presented at: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Annual Meeting; Oct. 7-9, 2016; Boston.

Disclosure: Austin reports no relevant financial disclosures.