Method and Results

Patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic procedures had finger diameters measured prior and post surgery, over a three month period. The study was approved by our Research and Development department. Measurements were taken using a finger circumference gauge (Southpointe, Florida, USA) and were all performed by one researcher in a standard technique, to eliminate inter observer variability. Control measurement, using the contralateral hand, were taken. Statistical analysis was performed, using the Mann Whitney U test. 31 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were included in the study and had finger diameters assessed. The median amount of finger swelling on the operated side was 2.8 mm (IQR 4.6) per digit, compared to 0 mm on the contralateral side (IQR 1.6), which was significantly greater (p=0.0003). There was no statistical difference in the amount of finger swelling when patients undergoing short procedures (less than 30 minutes operating time) were compared to patients undergoing long procedures (greater than 60 minutes).