Iatrogenic suprascapular nerve injury after repair of type II SLAP lesion.

Abstract

Suprascapular neuropathy after an arthroscopic repair of a SLAP lesion is theoretically possible, but it has been rarely reported. We present a case of suprascapular nerve injury at the spinoglenoid notch as a complication of an improperly inserted suture anchor after repair of a type II SLAP lesion. The diagnosis was confirmed by the magnetic resonance imaging findings and an electrodiagnostic study, and direct compression of the nerve was visualized under repeat arthroscopy. An anatomic study of the superior glenoid shows that the available bone stock of the superior glenoid rim for the anchor insertion is found to decrease posteriorly. During the repair of a SLAP lesion, surgeons should consider the possibility of an iatrogenic injury to the suprascapular nerve by an improperly inserted suture anchor.