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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02107573

Comparing the Outcomes Between Rotator Cuff Repair With and Without Suprascapular Nerve Decompression

The purpose of the study is to compare the differences in outcome between the traditional rotator cuff repair surgery and rotator cuff repair with suprascapular nerve decompression surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tear Rotator Cuff Injuries Rupture Shoulder Injuries Tendon Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Reparable full thickness supraspinatus and or infraspinatus rotator cuff tears regardless of retraction

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients less than 18 years of age
  • Irreparable rotator cuff tears

Treatment and study plan

Rotator Cuff Repair without Suprascapular Nerve decompression

Procedure

Traditional rotator cuff repair without Suprascapular nerve decompression

Rotator Cuff Repair with Suprascapular Nerve decompression

Procedure

Traditional rotator cuff repair with Suprascapular nerve decompression

Primary outcomes

  1. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score

    Time frame: one year

    The scale measures pain from 0 to 10 and also includes a questionnaire for assessing the activity of daily living.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Constant Shoulder Score

    Time frame: one year

    It includes pain score, functional assessment, range of motion and strength measures

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Chicago

Other

Collaborators

  • Endeavor Health

Registry information

Official study title

Will Routine Suprascapular Nerve Release During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Improve Patient Outcomes?

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Apr 8, 2014
Registry last updated
May 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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