Value of a clinical test of sub-acromial impingement to predict response to physiotherapy with dynamic humeral centering: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic humeral centering (DHC) is a physiotherapy modality that aims to prevent sub-acromial impingement of rotator cuff tendons. We recently developed a new clinical manoeuver - the Viggo-Cochin test - to enhance the ability of the Neer test to detect sub-acromial impingement. Here we hypothesised whether the DHC effect may differ between individuals with positive and negative Viggo-Cochin test results. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between DHC and Viggo-Cochin test results. METHODS: Individuals with shoulder pain due to sub-acromial impingement underwent the Neer and Viggo-Cochin tests at baseline. They were assessed before and after DHC by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). A positive response to DHC was defined as a 20% reduction in the SPADI. RESULTS: We included 50 individuals (53 shoulders). The response to DHC did not differ by Neer test result at baseline: OR 0.73 [95% CI 0.22-2.38] (p= 0.601). By contrast, the response to DHC was 5-fold higher with a positive than negative Viggo-Cochin test result: OR 5.11 [95% CI 1.47-17.78] (p= 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher clinical response to DHC with a positive than negative Viggo-Cochin test result at baseline in individuals with shoulder pain due to rotator cuff disease.

Clinical and MRI outcomes of subacromial impingement syndrome with conservative treatment: a 21-month prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Information is lacking on the natural history of early stages of degenerative rotator cuff disease. Such information can be obtained by using clinical and imaging assessment after conservative treatment in affected patients. HYPOTHESIS: Subacromial impingement syndrome is a clinical presentation that can be associated with early stages of the disease. We aimed to describe the natural history of degenerative rotator cuff disease from the early stages by studying clinical and imaging outcomes in non-operated patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with subacromial impingement syndrome were prospectively included. They had conservative treatment and were assessed before treatment and during at least 12-month follow-up. Assessment included clinical evaluation on a 0- to 100-point Constant scale and subscales as well as MRI of the rotator cuff. Clinical results were compared to baseline MRI findings and according to lesional progression. RESULTS: We included 26 patients with mean age 59.1 (SD 9.6), mean pain duration 23.1 (31.3) months; mean total Constant score 39.1 (12.1). Overall, 9 patients had no tear, 9 had a partial tear and 8 had a full-thickness tear. Mean follow-up was 21 (SD 10) months. Total Constant score and subscores improved at follow-up in the overall sample. Patients without tear and those with partial or full-thickness tear at baseline showed clinical improvement. MRI of the rotator cuff at follow-up indicated lesional worsening in 7 patients. However, clinical improvement did not differ by lesional progression or not. CONCLUSION: We report on 21-month clinical and MRI assessments of degenerative rotator cuff disorders including early stages of the disease. Clinical improvement was not related to MRI changes over time. Further investigations are needed to verify our findings in larger study populations.

Relationship Between Spinal-Pelvic Sagittal Balance and Pelvic-Femoral Injuries in Professional Soccer Players.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic-femoral injuries are a common problem in football (soccer) players. However, the risk factors for these injuries are unclear. Our knowledge of spinal-pelvic sagittal balance has increased considerably over the past few years, notably as a result of new radiographic techniques such the EOS radiographic imaging system. PURPOSE: To investigate the link between spinal-pelvic sagittal balance on EOS imaging and the incidence of pelvic-femoral injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Players in a League 1 professional soccer team were observed for 5 consecutive seasons. All players included in the study underwent EOS radiographic imaging. All acute and microtraumatic injuries to the pelvic-femoral complex were recorded prospectively: hamstrings, psoas, quadriceps, adductors, obturators, and pubic symphysis. We analyzed the relationship between injury incidence and key radiographic parameters involved in pelvic balance. RESULTS: A total of 61 players were included (mean age, 24.5 years; n = 149 injuries; mean pelvic tilt, 9.08° ± 5.6°). A significant link was observed between the incidence of pelvic-femoral injuries and pelvic tilt (P = .02). A significant link was also observed between the incidence of acute pelvic-femoral injuries and pelvic tilt (P = .05). In both cases, a high pelvic tilt was associated with a low incidence of injuries. CONCLUSION: In professional soccer players, a low pelvic tilt was associated with a high incidence of all pelvic-femoral injuries as well as acute pelvic-femoral injuries. These results could lead to new preventive methods for these musculotendinous injuries through physical therapy.

Reproducibility of sub-acromial impingement tests, including a new clinical manoeuver.

BACKGROUND: The Neer, Hawkins, and Yocum clinical tests detect sub-acromial impingement as a pathogenic process of degenerative rotator cuff disease. Their reproducibility has been little investigated. OBJECTIVES: We tested the reproducibility of the Neer, Hawkins, and Yocum clinical tests for detecting this sub-acromial impingement and also an original clinical manoeuver, the countertest with elevation with lateral rotation (CELR), which is a test of sub-acromial impingement. METHODS: Patients with shoulder pain due to degenerative rotator cuff disease were prospectively included. They were assessed with the Neer, Hawkins and Yocum tests as well as the CELR twice at a 1 week interval. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed by percentage agreement and the kappa coefficient of concordance with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Concordance was poor with kappa ≤0.4, moderate >0.4, and good >0.61. It was considered suitable for clinical use with kappa >0.4. RESULTS: We included 34 patients (mean [SD] age 60 [11] years; 26 females). For intra-observer reproducibility, agreement was 80% to 88%. By the kappa coefficient, intra-observer reproducibility was poor for the Neer test and moderate for the Hawkins test (0.56 [95% CI 0;0.9]) and Yocum test (0.48 [0;0.8]) and CELR (0.6 [0.2;0.9]). For inter-observer reproducibility, agreement was 73% to 88%. By the kappa coefficient, inter-observer reproducibility was poor for the Yocum test, moderate for the Hawkins test (0.54 [0.2;0.8]) and CELR (0.58 [0.2;0.8]), and good for the Neer test (0.64 [0.2;0.9]). CONCLUSION: The Hawkins test and CELR had a balanced profile of reproducibility suitable for clinical practice. We underline the potential interest of CELR, an original manoeuver.