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AAOS issues clinical practice guideline for rotator cuff tears
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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Directors recently released a clinical practice guideline for the treatment of rotator cuff tears and related problems, according to a press release from the organization.
 Ken Yamaguchi |
A work group chaired by Robert A. Pedowitz, MD, of Los Angeles, and co-chaired by Ken Yamaguchi, MD, of St. Louis, developed the guideline after a review of 74 studies on rotator cuff treatment published through 2008.
“Although there is a tremendous amount of research on the rotator cuff, much of it does not reach the quality levels necessary to be considered definitive,” Yamaguchi stated in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) press release. “Thus, we cannot say there were recommendations that could be unequivocally supported.”
Furthermore, no level 1 evidence existed to demonstrate a difference in outcomes from one surgical approach to another, according to the release.
The work group has recommended 14 interventions for the treatment of rotator cuff tears. There was a consensus opinion among work group members for the following recommendation:
L that surgery not be performed for asymptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
The group noted that the primary indication for rotator cuff repair is significant pain or dysfunction affecting the quality of life, according to the release.
Many of the common practices for repairing acute or chronic tears that have failed conservative management are considered viable options today, according to Yamaguchi. Based on the release, the work group found no evidence to refute most of the common treatment practices and they believe that future, good evidence will substantiate current opinion.
References:
- www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/guide.asp
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