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Longer immobilization not linked with significant reduction in rotator cuff retears
Eight weeks of immobilization after arthroscopic single-row repair of a posterosuperior rotator cuff tear did not yield a higher rate of healing medium-sized rotator cuff tears than 4 weeks of immobilization, according to the results of this study.
Researchers randomly assigned 100 patients who underwent arthroscopic single-row repair of a posterosuperior rotator cuff tear to be treated with immobilization for either 4 weeks or 8 weeks. Patients were not allowed to perform passive or active range-of-motion exercises, including pendulum exercises, during the immobilization period.
After exclusion of 12 patients who did not have postoperative clinical evaluation, 88 patients were evaluated clinically and with MRI postoperatively. Researchers compared ranges of motion, clinical scores and retear rates between the 4-week and 8-week groups. At a mean of 35 months, 98 patients were contacted by telephone to investigate clinical outcomes.
Overall, 89% of patients rated their results as excellent or good and 10% of patients experienced full-thickness retears, according to study results. Researchers found five full-thickness retears in the 4-week group and four retears in the 8-week group. Both groups showed no significant differences in range of motion or clinical scores at final follow-up. However, according to study results, the proportion of patients showing stiffness was higher in the 8-week group.
Disclosure: The researchers have no relevant financial disclosures.