SupraScapular Cuff Study: Assessing the Effects of Size and Type of Rotator Cuff Tear on Suprascapular Nerve Function

N/ARecruitingNCT06002009

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust250 enrolled

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 1. To determine if an injured suprascapular nerve can recover if the rotator cuff tear is surgically repaired. 2. To determine if there is a limit of retraction before the suprascapular nerve is irreversibly damaged. 3. To determine factors that are protective against SSN injury. 4. Can the patient data gathered be used to optimise operative procedures.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

250

Conditions

Orthopedic Disorder

Interventions

MRIRADIATION

MRI of shoulder

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Assess suprascapular nerve funaction

MRI scan to quantify size of rotator cuff tear, compared with Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) to assess suprascapular nerve function.

Time frame: 36 months

Secondary Outcomes

Shoulder scores

Compare functional shoulder scores to the degree of nerve injury and muscle degeneration over a 24-month period post-injury. Scores to include active range of movement (ROM) measurements; and the collection of validated shoulder outcome scores (DASH, OSS, \& Constant score).

Time frame: 36 months

Nerve recovery

Functional assessment of nerve recovery at 24 months post-injury for surgically repaired rotator cuff tears.

Time frame: 24 months

Machine learning

Use of machine learning to investigate data set for optimum parameters or predictors

Time frame: 24 months

Nerve conduction studies

Repeat Nerve Conduction Study investigations at 12 months post injury for all surgically managed participants and non-surgical patients to assess suprascapular nerve function

Time frame: 12 months