The suprascapular nerve is intimately related to the function and likely recovery of the
rotator cuff musculature. Retracted rotator cuff tears have recently been shown to effect
both the physical path in which the suprascapular nerve travels, as well as its
physiologic function.
This study will be a randomized control trial with long term follow up that will add to
and elaborate on the positive outcomes reported in other trials. Patients that have a
rotator cuff tears with greater than or equal to 1 cm of retraction that have failed
conservative treatment and require operative repair will qualify for the study. They will
be randomized into two arms: In one arm, patients will undergo suprascapular nerve
release immediately after their rotator cuff repair; they will be compared to patients
that have rotator cuff repair with no release of the nerve. Post operatively, at
different time intervals, patients will be expected to fill out multiple standardized,
well established surveys that assess the patients pain level and shoulder function.
