Early detection and treatment of complications in the fingers and hand after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND: Complications in the fingers and hand after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) have been reported to include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), flexor tenosynovitis (TS), and complex regional pain syndrome. These studies were conducted retrospectively; however, the reported complications have not been examined prospectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of early detection and treatment of the complications after ARCR. METHODS: Forty-six patients (48 shoulders) who underwent ARCR were prospectively examined to investigate complications in the fingers and hand after ARCR. We attempted to immediately detect and proactively treat these complications. We evaluated the outcomes of the early detection and treatment of the complications. RESULTS: Complications were observed in 17 hands (35%) and occurred an average of 1.5 months after ARCR. The symptoms in 3 hands resolved spontaneously, 2 hands were diagnosed with CTS, and 12 hands were diagnosed with TS. Of the 12 hands with TS, 11 exhibited no triggering of the fingers. Among the 14 hands diagnosed with CTS or TS, 13 hands (CTS: 2 hands, TS: 11 hands) were treated with corticosteroid injections; the mean interval between treatment initiation and symptom resolution was 1.0 months (0.5-3.0 months). None exhibited complex regional pain syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: When symptoms occur in the fingers and hand after ARCR, CTS or TS should be primarily suspected. The diagnosis of TS must be made carefully because most patients with TS have no triggering. For patients with CTS or TS after ARCR, rapid corticosteroid injection administration can lead to improvement in these symptoms.