Supraspinatus Muscle and Tendon Characteristics 1 Year After Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair Compared With Contralateral Shoulder: Data From the CUT-N-MOVE Trial.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to better understand the structural characteristics of the supraspinatus tendon and associated muscle after rotator cuff repair and in the event of retear. PURPOSE: To study structural differences between the repaired and contralateral shoulders 1 year after rotator cuff repair in patients who received either progressive exercise therapy (PR) or usual care (UC) in a randomized controlled trial and to investigate whether there was interaction with tendon retear and limb dominance. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients with surgically repaired traumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon were included. After surgery, they were randomized to PR or UC (active from postoperative week 2 or 6, respectively). The subacromial structures (acromiohumeral distance, supraspinatus tendon thickness, and vascularity) and the supraspinatus muscle thickness were examined with ultrasound at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were included. The characteristics of the 2 intervention groups (PR and UC) were comparable, including the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index score and number of retears. The authors found significantly thinner supraspinatus tendon (PR, P < .001; UC, P = .003) and reduced acromiohumeral distance (PR, P = .023; UC, P = .025) in the repaired versus the contralateral shoulders in both intervention groups. For neovascularization, there was no interlimb difference in either of the groups or between groups (PR vs UC). In patients with intact tendons, there was no interlimb difference in the muscle thickness, but in patients with tendon retear the muscle was significantly thinner on the repaired side (P = .024 and P < .001, respectively). When the dominant supraspinatus tendon was repaired (both groups), it was significantly thinner than the nondominant healthy tendon, but this difference was not seen when the nondominant supraspinatus tendon was repaired (P = .006). CONCLUSION: One year after rotator cuff surgery, the repaired supraspinatus tendon was significantly thinner and the corresponding acromiohumeral distance was reduced. In patients with retear, the supraspinatus muscle was significantly thinner on the repaired side and early initiation of tendon-loading exercises did not affect these findings. REGISTRATION: NCT02969135 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics in patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair: a clinical prospective cohort study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic shoulder dislocation is a common shoulder injury, especially among the young and active population. More than 95% of dislocations are anterior, in which the humeral head is forced beyond the anterior glenoid rim. The injury leads to increased joint laxity and recurrence rates are high. There is evidence that the shoulder biomechanics and neuromuscular control change following dislocation, but the existing literature is scarce, and it remains to be established if and how these parameters are useful in the clinical setting. The aim of this exploratory prospective cohort study is to investigate biomechanical and neuromuscular outcomes in patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair, to test the hypothesis that examinations of these characteristics are applicable in the clinical setting to assess shoulder instability. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a prospective multicentre cohort study with repeated measures of 30 patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair. With carefully selected and completely non-invasive examination methods, we will investigate biomechanical and neuromuscular outcomes in the affected shoulders once presurgically and twice post surgically at 6 and 12 months. Patients' contralateral shoulders are investigated once to establish a preinjury level. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Capital Region Ethics Committee (journal-no: H-21027799) and the Capital Region Knowledge Center for Data Reviews (journal-no: P-2021-842) before patient recruitment began. The study results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, online and in other relevant media, presented at medical conventions and disseminated to clinicians and patients as appropriate. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05250388.

To allow or avoid pain during shoulder rehabilitation exercises for patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy-Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the PASE trial).

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy is the most reported shoulder disorder in the general population with highest prevalence in overhead athletes and adult working-age population. A growing body of evidence support exercise therapy as an effective intervention, but to date there are no prospective randomized controlled trials addressing pain as an intervention variable. METHODS: A single-site, prospective, pragmatic, assessor-blinded randomized controlled superiority trial. Eighty-four patients aged 18-55 years with chronic (symptom duration over 3 months) RC tendinopathy are randomized 1:1 to receive shoulder exercise during which pain is either allowed or avoided. The intervention period lasts 26 weeks. During that period, participants in both groups are offered 8 individual on-site sessions with an assigned sports physiotherapist. Participants perform home exercises and are provided with a pain and exercise logbook and asked to report completed home-based exercise sessions and reasons for not completing sessions (pain or other reasons). Patients are also asked to report load and the number of sets and repetitions per sets for each exercise session. The logbooks are collected continuously throughout the intervention period. The primary and secondary outcomes are obtained at baseline, 6 weeks, 26 weeks, and 1 year after baseline. The primary outcome is patient-reported pain and disability using the Shoulder PAin and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes are patient-reported pain and disability using Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand short-form (Quick DASH), and shoulder pain using Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Objective outcomes are shoulder range of motion, isometric shoulder muscle strength, pain sensitivity, working ability, and structural changes in the supraspinatus tendon and muscle using ultrasound. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will contribute knowledge about the treatment strategies for patients with RC tendinopathy and help physiotherapists in clinical decision-making. This is the first randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of allowing pain versus avoiding pain during shoulder exercises in patients with chronic RC tendinopathy. If tolerating pain during and after exercise proves to be effective, it will potentially expand our understanding of "exercising into pain" for this patient group, as there is currently no consensus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05124769. Registered on August 11, 2021.

Interrater reliability of subacromial ultrasound measures in the hands of novice sonographers.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound measures of subacromial structures are reliable in the hands of experienced sonographers, but it remains unknown if inexperienced clinicians can achieve a satisfactory level of interrater reliability. The aim was to investigate if standardised subacromial ultrasound measures are reliable in the hands of novice sonographers. METHODS: Two novice sonographers performed standardised ultrasound measures on patients diagnosed with subacromial pain syndrome and asymptomatic shoulders. The measures were: supraspinatus tendon thickness (SUPRA), subacromial bursa thickness (SASD), acromio-humeral distance (AHD) and dynamic impingement (DI). Reliability and agreement were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (2.1)), standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, 95% limits of agreement, Bland-Altman plots and Cohen's unweighted κ. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were recruited (28 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic shoulders). The ICC of SUPRA ranged from 0.73 to 0.77. The ICC of SASD ranged from 0.41 to 0.88 and AHD from 0.68 to 0.72. Cohen's κ of DI in symptomatic shoulders was 0.29. CONCLUSION: The interrater reliability of novice sonographers was found to be moderate to good when assessing SUPRA and AHD. For SASD and DI, the reliability ranged from poor to good. No significant differences in SUPRA and SASD thickness were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders. FUNDING: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.

Shoulder-specific rehabilitation combined with aerobic exercises versus solely shoulder-specific rehabilitation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: study protocol for a randomized controlled superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are very common in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The upper limb is one of the regions that is most frequently affected generally presenting limited joint mobility, pain, and a decreased muscle strength. Most clinical trials with a focus on shoulder musculoskeletal rehabilitation are carried out in patients who do not present DM. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of two distinct treatment protocols (conventional shoulder musculoskeletal rehabilitation combined with aerobic exercises versus solely conventional shoulder musculoskeletal rehabilitation) on shoulder pain, function, strength, kinematics, and supraspinatus tendon thickness in patients with type 2 DM after 12 weeks of intervention and a subsequent follow-up at week 20. METHODS: A randomized controlled superiority trial will be conducted. Participants with a clinical diagnosis of type 2 DM of both sexes, age between 40 and 70 years, presenting shoulder pain will be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (1) conventional shoulder musculoskeletal rehabilitation combined with aerobic exercises; (2) solely conventional shoulder musculoskeletal rehabilitation. All individuals will be evaluated before starting the treatment protocol (baseline) and at the end of treatment (post 12 weeks) and as a follow-up at 20 weeks. The shoulder function assessed by the SPADI (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index) questionnaire will be considered as primary outcome; the secondary outcome will be shoulder pain, measured with NPRS scales. Other outcomes will include range of motion, measured using a digital inclinometer; isometric shoulder muscle strength, measured using a manual muscle dynamometer; shoulder kinematics, measured using three-dimensional inertial units measurement; supraspinatus tendon thickness, measured using an ultrasound; AGE accumulation, using a skin autofluorescence measurement; and HbA1c (hemoglobin a1c), fasting glucose and lipid profile measured by a simple blood test. DISCUSSION: DM is a highly prevalent disease and a public health problem worldwide, and the upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in DM are barely recognized and largely underestimated. In this way, it would be interesting to analyze if the combination of aerobic exercises with conventional musculoskeletal rehabilitation protocols could generate better results in the functionality, pain, mobility and an improvement in the biochemical aspects related to the hyperglycemia of these patients compared to solely the conventional musculoskeletal rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04817514. Registered on March 26, 2021.

Effectiveness of promotion and support for physical activity maintenance post total hip arthroplasty-study protocol for a pragmatic, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (the PANORAMA trial).

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty is considered an efficacious procedure for relieving pain and disability, but despite that objectively measured physical activity level remains unchanged compared to pre-surgery and is still considerably lower than that of a healthy age- and sex-matched population 6-12 months post-surgery. Since there is a graded relationship between physical activity level and functional performance, increasing physical activity may enhance the outcome of the procedure. This study aims to investigate whether promotion and support of physical activity initiated 3 months after total hip arthroplasty complementary to usual rehabilitation care can increase objective measured physical activity 6 months post-surgery. METHODS: The trial is designed as a pragmatic, parallel group, two-arm, assessor-blinded, superiority, randomized (1:1), controlled trial with post intervention follow-up 6 and 12 months after total hip arthroplasty. Home-dwelling, independent, and self-reliant patients with hip osteoarthritis are provisionally enrolled prior to surgery and re-screened about 2-3 months post-surgery to confirm eligibility. Baseline assessment is conducted 3 months post-surgery. Subsequently, patients (n=200) are randomized to either a 3-month, multimodal physical activity promotion/education intervention or control (no further attention). The intervention consists of face-to-face and telephone counselling, patient education material, pedometer, and step-counting journal. The primary outcome is objectively measured physical activity, specifically the proportion of patients that complete on average ≥8000 steps per day 6 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes include core outcomes (i.e., physical function, pain, and patient global assessment) and health-related quality of life. Furthermore, we will explore the effect of the intervention on self-efficacy and outcome expectations (i.e., tertiary outcomes). DISCUSSION: By investigating the effectiveness of a pedometer-driven, face-to-face, and telephone-assisted counselling, behavior change intervention in complementary to usual rehabilitation, we hope to deliver applicable and generalizable knowledge to support physical activity after total hip arthroplasty and potentially enhance the outcome of the procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov NCT04471532 . Registered on July 15, 2020.

Effects of 12 Weeks of Progressive Early Active Exercise Therapy After Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair: 12 Weeks and 1-Year Results From the CUT-N-MOVE Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears are typically managed surgically, followed by rehabilitation, but the load progression to reach an optimal clinical outcome during postoperative rehabilitation is unknown. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether there was a superior effect of 12 weeks of progressive active exercise therapy on shoulder function, pain, and quality of life compared with usual care. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Patients with surgically repaired traumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears were recruited from 2 orthopaedic departments and randomized to progressive active exercise therapy (PR) or limited passive exercise therapy (UC [usual care]). The primary outcome was the change in the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) score between groups from before surgery to 12 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score, pain, range of motion, and strength. Adverse events were registered during the intervention period. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were randomized to the PR (n = 41) or UC (n = 41) group. All 82 patients (100%) participated in the 12-week assessment and 79 in the 1-year follow-up. At 12 weeks, there was no significant difference between the groups in the change in the WORC score from baseline adjusted for age, sex, and center (physical symptoms: P = .834; sports and recreation: P = .723; work: P = .541; lifestyle: P = .508; emotions: P = .568). Additionally, there was no between-group difference for the secondary outcomes including the WORC score at 1 year and the DASH score, pain, range of motion, and strength at 12 weeks and 1 year. Both groups showed significant improvements over time in all outcomes. In total, there were 13 retears (16%) at 1-year follow-up: 6 in the PR group and 7 in the UC group. CONCLUSION: PR did not result in superior patient-reported and objective outcomes compared with UC at either short- or long-term follow-up (12 weeks and 1 year). REGISTRATION: NCT02969135 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

The effect of five isometric exercises on glenohumeral translations in healthy subjects and patients with the hypermobility type of the ehlers-danlos syndrome (heds) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (hsd) with multidirectional shoulder instability: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether patients, diagnosed with the hypermobility type of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), with multidirectional shoulder instability (MDI) have increased humeral head translations compared to healthy controls and to describe the direction of the humeral translations during five exercises. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Ghent University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven female patients (aged mean (SD) 35 (13) years) with hEDS/HSD and MDI and 20 female healthy controls (aged 34 (11) years) participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS: The acromiohumeral (AHD) and humeralglenoid distance (HGD) were measured using ultrasound during five isometric exercises: shoulder external rotation, shoulder extension, shoulder flexion, elbow extension and holding a 2kg dumbbell. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasound measures of the AHD and HGD. RESULTS: During isometric shoulder extension, elbow extension and dumbbell loading, patients had a significantly larger change in AHD compared to controls. In patients, the AHD was significantly smaller during isometric shoulder flexion, extension and elbow extension compared to the AHD measured in rest. By contrast, the AHD was significantly larger during isometric external rotation and dumbbell loading compared to the AHD measured in rest. Regarding the HGD, no significant differences between patients and controls were observed. However, significantly smaller HGD values were found in patients during isometric shoulder flexion compared to the HGD in rest. CONCLUSIONS: Isometric external rotation and holding a 2kg dumbbell caused an inferior translation in patients with hEDS/HSD and MDI, whereas isometric shoulder flexion and shoulder/elbow extension respectively led to an anterior-superior and superior translation.

Subacromial space outlet in female patients with multidirectional instability based on hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder measured by ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) between patients diagnosed with hypermobility type of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and healthy controls by evaluating the relative amount the tendon occupies in the subacromial area. Furthermore, the aim was to evaluate if there was a change in AHD with arm elevation within and between groups. METHODS: Twenty-nine female patients with hEDS/HSD (aged 34 ± 12.9 years) and 20 healthy controls (aged 33 ± 10.8 years) participated in the study. The supraspinatus tendon (SST) thickness and AHD were measured using ultrasound. The interplay between the SST and the AHD was expressed as the occupation ratio (OcAHD), calculated as the SST thickness as a percentage of AHD. The measures were performed in the resting position and in subsequently 45° and 60° of active arm elevation in the scapular plane. RESULTS: The main finding is that patients with hEDS/HSD have a larger subacromial space outlet compared with the controls when measured by ultrasound. Furthermore, in both groups, we found an increased OcAHD during active arm elevation compared with the resting position, which indicates that similar mechanisms occur for patients with hEDS/HSD and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with hEDS/HSD have a larger available subacromial space outlet compared with healthy individuals. OcAHD increased during active arm elevation compared with the resting position in both groups. This knowledge is important when designing rehabilitation exercise programs for shoulder instability patients with abnormal glenohumeral biomechanics.

Progressive early passive and active exercise therapy after surgical rotator cuff repair - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the CUT-N-MOVE trial).

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder disability and results in patients predominantly complaining of pain and loss of motion and strength. Traumatic rotator cuff tears are typically managed surgically followed by ~ 20 weeks of rehabilitation. However, the timing and intensity of the postoperative rehabilitation strategy required to reach an optimal clinical outcome is unknown. Early controlled and gradually increased tendon loading has been suggested to positively influence tendon healing and recovery. The aim of this trial is therefore to examine the effect of a progressive rehabilitation strategy on pain, physical function and quality of life compared to usual care (that limits tendon loading in the early postoperative phase) in patients who have a rotator cuff repair of a traumatic tear. METHODS: The current study is a randomized, controlled, outcome-assessor blinded, multicenter, superiority trial with a two-group paralleled design. A total of 100 patients with surgically repaired traumatic rotator cuff tears will be recruited from up to three orthopedic departments in Denmark, and randomized to either a progressive early passive and active movement program or a limited early passive movement program (usual care). The primary outcome measure will be the change from pre-surgery to 12 weeks post-surgery in the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the Disabilities Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), range of motion, strength and tendon healing characteristics from ultrasound measurements at 12 months follow up. DISCUSSION: We hypothesized that patients who receive the progressive rehabilitation strategy will benefit more with respect to pain reduction, physical function and quality of life than those who receive care as usual. If this is confirmed our study can be used clinically to enhance the recovery of patients with traumatic rotator cuff tear. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02969135 . Registered on 15 November 2016.

Intertester reliability of clinical shoulder instability and laxity tests in subjects with and without self-reported shoulder problems.

OBJECTIVE: First, to investigate the intertester reliability of clinical shoulder instability and laxity tests, and second, to describe the mutual dependency of each test evaluated by each tester for identifying self-reported shoulder instability and laxity. METHODS: A standardised protocol for conducting reliability studies was used to test the intertester reliability of the six clinical shoulder instability and laxity tests: apprehension, relocation, surprise, load-and-shift, sulcus sign and Gagey. Cohen's kappa (κ) with 95% CIs besides prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK), accounting for insufficient prevalence and bias, were computed to establish the intertester reliability and mutual dependency. RESULTS: Forty individuals (13 with self-reported shoulder instability and laxity-related shoulder problems and 27 normal shoulder individuals) aged 18-60 were included. Fair (relocation), moderate (load-and-shift, sulcus sign) and substantial (apprehension, surprise, Gagey) intertester reliability were observed across tests (κ 0.39-0.73; 95% CI 0.00 to 1.00). PABAK improved reliability across tests, resulting in substantial to almost perfect intertester reliability for the apprehension, surprise, load-and-shift and Gagey tests (κ 0.65-0.90). Mutual dependencies between each test and self-reported shoulder problem showed apprehension, relocation and surprise to be the most often used tests to characterise self-reported shoulder instability and laxity conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Four tests (apprehension, surprise, load-and-shift and Gagey) out of six were considered intertester reliable for clinical use, while relocation and sulcus sign tests need further standardisation before acceptable evidence. Furthermore, the validity of the tests for shoulder instability and laxity needs to be studied.