Shall we use cryotherapy in the treatment in surgical procedures, in acute pain or injury, or in long term pain or dysfunction? - A systematic review.

PURPOSE: This review aimed to evaluate the certainty of evidence for the use of cryotherapy in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and AMED were searched from January 2000 to January 2018 (update June 2019) for systematic reviews (SRs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting outcomes on pain, swelling, range of motion (ROM), function, blood loss, analgesic use, patient satisfaction and adverse advents. The papers were categorised into: surgical procedures, acute pain or injury and long-term pain or dysfunction. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR and the Swedish Health Technology Assessment instruments. Level of certainty of evidence was synthesized using GRADE. STUDY SELECTION: Eight SRs and 50 RCTs from a total of 6027 (+839) were included. In total 34 studies evaluated cryotherapy in surgical procedures, twelve evaluated cryotherapy use in acute pain or injury and twelve studies evaluated cryotherapy in long-term pain and dysfunction. RESULTS: The certainty of evidence is moderate (GRADE III) after surgical procedures to reduce pain, improve ROM, for patient satisfaction and few adverse events are reported. Cryotherapy in acute pain and injury or long-term pain and dysfunction show positive effects but have a higher number of outcomes with low certainty of evidence (GRADE II). CONCLUSION: Cryotherapy may safely be used in musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunctions. It is well tolerated by patients. More advanced forms of cryotherapy may accentuate the effect. Future research is needed where timing, temperature for cooling, dose (time) and frequency are evaluated.

Consensus for physiotherapy for shoulder pain.

PURPOSE: Shoulder pain is a common disorder. Despite growing evidence of the importance of physiotherapy, in particular active exercise therapy, little data is available to guide treatment. The aim of this project was to contribute to the development of an internationally accepted assessment and treatment algorithm for patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: Nine physiotherapists with expertise in the treatment of shoulder dysfunction met in Sweden 2012 to begin the process of developing a treatment algorithm. A questionnaire was completed prior to the meeting to guide discussions. Virtual conferences were thereafter the platform to reach consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was achieved on a clinical reasoning algorithm to guide the assessment and treatment for patients presenting with local shoulder pain, without significant passive range of motion deficits and no symptoms or signs of instability. The algorithm emphasises that physiotherapy treatment decisions should be based on physical assessment findings and not structural pathology, that active exercises should be the primary treatment approach, and that regular re-assessment is performed to ensure that all clinical features contributing to the presenting shoulder pain are addressed. Consensus was also achieved on a set of guiding principles for implementing exercise therapy for shoulder pain, namely, a limited number of exercises, performed with appropriate scapulo-humeral coordination and humeral head alignment, in a graduated manner without provoking the presenting shoulder pain. CONCLUSION: The assessment and treatment algorithm presented could contribute to a more formal, extensive process aimed at achieving international agreement on an algorithm to guide physiotherapy treatment for shoulder pain.

Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) index: a cross-cultural adaptation into Swedish, including evaluation of reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with subacromial pain.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to translate the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) index into Swedish and to test its validity, reliability, and responsiveness in patients with subacromial pain. METHODS: The validity of the WOOS translation was tested in 54 patients who completed the WOOS and the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire, Swedish version (SRQs). Of these patients, 46 were retested to assess reliability. Responsiveness was evaluated in 29 subjects who completed the WOOS and SRQs before surgery and again at 3 months after surgery, when they also rated perceived change in shoulder function. The relationship between the questionnaires and patient-perceived improvement was assessed. RESULTS: A high correlation was found between the Swedish version of WOOS and the SRQs. The correlations were similar in a group of working patients (r = -0.832) and in all patients (r = -0.843; P < .001). A high degree of agreement between WOOS at test and retest was also observed. A Bland-Altman plot showed a small mean difference and no trend across the range of WOOS values. A strong significant agreement was also shown by a κ value of 0.649 (P < .001) and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.97, P < .001) as well as by a low difference between the test and retest means. Responsiveness, calculated by standardized response mean, was excellent (1.02). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide evidence that the Swedish version of WOOS is valid, reliable, and responsive in patients with subacromial pain and performs similarly to the original Canadian version.

Evaluation of an exercise concept focusing on eccentric strength training of the rotator cuff for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on pain intensity and function of an exercise concept focusing on specific eccentric strength training of the rotator cuff in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. DESIGN: Single-subject research design with baseline and treatment phases (AB design). SETTING: Home-based training programme supervised and supported by visits to physiotherapy clinic. SUBJECTS: Ten patients, mean (SD) age 54 (8.6) years, symptom duration 12 (9.1) months. INTERVENTION: Daily eccentric strengthening exercises of the rotator cuff during 12 weeks. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity, assessed with a visual analogue scale, and function, using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Shoulder function evaluated with the Constant score, and shoulder-related quality of life evaluated with the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index. RESULTS: Pain intensity decreased significantly in eight of the ten subjects. Function improved significantly in all ten subjects. Constant score increased in nine subjects and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index increased in seven subjects. Mean Constant score for the whole group increased significantly from 44 to 69 points (P = 0.008). Mean Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index increased from 51 to 71% (P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: A 12-week eccentric strengthening programme targeting the rotator cuff and incorporating scapular control and correct movement pattern can be effective in decreasing pain and increasing function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to provide stronger evidence of the method.

Long-term patient satisfaction and functional outcome 8-11 years after subacromial decompression.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the long-term outcome of arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) in patients with primary impingement syndrome stage II and early stage III. Ninety-five patients (105 shoulders, 48 female), mean age 54 years (range 26-69), who had undergone surgery between 1996 and 1999, were included. Pain intensity during activity and at rest, patient satisfaction, active range of motion (ROM), muscular strength and shoulder function using the Constant score were evaluated. Fifty-three (50%) shoulders were pain-free (Visual Analogue Scale < or = 10 mm) during activity and 72 (68%) shoulders were pain-free at rest. Sixty-one (58%) patients stated that they were very satisfied and 27 (25%) were quite satisfied with regard to their current shoulder function. Shoulders were divided into Group 1: Pain-free patients (n = 53), Group 2: Patients with shoulder pain and no arthropathy (n = 41) and Group 3: Patients with shoulder pain and arthropathy (n = 11). The groups had average active ROM of 157 degrees, 135 degrees and 117 degrees, respectively, in abduction and 97 degrees, 79 degrees, and 68 degrees in external rotation. The average strength in elevation in the scapular plane was 7.4, 5.8 and 3.9 kg, respectively, whereas the mean value in external rotation was 8.4, 7.9 and 5.3 kg, respectively. The Constant score had a mean value of 87, 69 and 59 points in the three groups, respectively. Eleven shoulders have undergone re-operation, one after a new trauma. We conclude that ASD is a valuable procedure. Patients expressed a high degree of satisfaction with shoulder function 8-11 years after ASD.

Early loading in physiotherapy treatment after full-thickness rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized pilot-study with a two-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical changes following two different physiotherapy treatment protocols after rotator cuff repair. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized pilot study with a two-year follow-up. SUBJECTS: Five women and nine men, 55 (40-64) years old, were included. INTERVENTION: The progressive group (n = 7) started with dynamic, specific muscle activation of the rotator cuff the day after surgery as well as passive range of motion. After four weeks of immobilization the loading to the rotator cuff increased and in a progressive manner throughout the rehabilitation. In the traditional group (n = 7) the rotator cuff was protected from loading. Patients were immobilized for six weeks and started with passive range of motion the day after surgery. No specific exercises to the rotator cuff were introduced during this period. MAIN MEASURES: A clinical evaluation was made preoperatively, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Pain rating during activity and at rest, patient satisfaction, active range of motion and muscle strength, Constant score, hand in neck, hand in back and pour out of a pot, as well as Functional Index of the Shoulder were used. RESULTS: At two years follow-up, the progressive group and traditional group scored pain during activity visual analogue scale (VAS) 2/0 mm and pain at rest 0/0 mm, respectively. The groups attained 170/175 degrees in active abduction in standing and 70/90 degrees in passive external rotation while lying in supine. Using Constant score, the groups attained 82/77 points respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the progressive protocol produced no adverse effects compared with the traditional protocol.