Effectiveness of scapular mobilization in people with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Scapular mobilization is a manual therapy technique widely used in the management of musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of scapular mobilization in addition to an exercise program in people with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS: Seventy-two adults with SIS were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups. The control group (n=36) participated in a 6-week exercise program, and the intervention group (n = 36) participated in the same exercise program plus passive manual scapular mobilization. Both groups were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks (end of treatment). The primary outcome measure was upper limb function assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures were the Constant-Murley questionnaire, pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), and scapular upward rotation. RESULTS: All participants completed the trial. The between-group difference in DASH was -1.1 points (Cohen d = 0.05; p = 0.911), Constant-Murley 2.1 points (Cohen d = 0.08; p = 0.841), VAS rating of pain at rest -0.1 cm (Cohen d = 0.05; p = 0.684), and VAS rating of pain during movement -0.2 cm (Cohen d = 0.09; p = 0.764); scapular upward rotation at rest (arm by the side) was 0.6° (Cohen d = 0.09; p = 0.237), at 45° shoulder abduction was 0.8° (Cohen d = 0.13; p = 0.096), at 90° was 0.1° (Cohen d = 0.04; p = 0.783), and at 135° was 0.1° (Cohen d = 0.07; p = 0.886). Most differences were in favor of the intervention group; however, the effect sizes were weak and not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the short-term, the addition of scapular mobilization did not provide significant clinical benefits in terms of function, pain or scapular motion in participants with SIS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian registry of clinical trials UTN number U1111-1226-2081. Registered February 25, 2019.

Effectiveness of supervised physiotherapy versus home exercise in subjects with rotator cuff disorders treated surgically: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to determine the effectiveness of supervised Physiotherapy (PT) versus a home exercise program for functional outcomes in patients with rotator cuff (RC) disorders treated surgically. TYPE: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. METHODOLOGY: An electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies included randomized clinical trials that compared supervised PT versus home exercises in functional outcomes, such as shoulder or upper limb function, pain intensity, and range of motion, in subjects older than 18 years with RC disorders treated surgically. SYNTHESIS: Six trials met the eligibility criteria, and for the quantitative synthesis, five studies were included. At 3 months, the mean difference (MD) for the Constant-Murley questionnaire (0-100 points) was -0.76 points (95% confidence interval (CI) = -15.64 to 14.12, p = 0.92), while the MD for the visual analog scale (0-10 cm) was -0.87 cm (95% CI = -2.8 to 1.06, p = 0.38). These differences were neither clinically nor statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There was very low quality of evidence towards no better benefits in shoulder pain and function of supervised PT over home exercises programs in patients older than 18 years with RC disorders treated surgically. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42020185805.

Presión en la reparación de manguito rotador con suturas transóseas y Mason-Allen modificado / Pressure on the rotator cuff repair with transosseous sutures and modified Mason-Allen

OBJETIVO:Comparar el promedio de curva de presión de contacto y el porcentaje de presión de contacto residual final en la interfase tendón-huella de una reparación transósea (TO) realizada con nudos cruzados y una configuración Mason-Allen modificada (MAM). MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron ocho hombros de cordero para simular una rotura de manguito rotador. Se midió la presión con un sensor digital. Se registró la presión basal durante la aplicación de carga cíclica y al final de la intervención. Se compararon dos reparaciones: dos túneles TOs con nudos cruzados (TOCs) (n » 4) y dos puntos MAMs (n » 4) utilizando suturas MaxBraid #2 (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN, EEUU). Se realizaron 1.000 ciclos, con una frecuencia de 2 Hz y una carga de 30 N. Se utilizó el test de t de Student, y se consideraron significativos valores de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: El promedio de curva de presión de contacto en las piezas que fueron reparadas con suturas TOCs fue de 86,01 8,43%, mientras que con MAM fue de 73,28 12,01% (p < 0,0004). El promedio del porcentaje residual al final del ciclado fue de 71,57% para suturas TOCs y de 51,19% para MAM (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: La reparación TOC presenta mayor promedio de curva de presión de contacto y mayor porcentaje de presión de contacto residual final en la interfase tendón-huella que la reparación con sutura MAM luego de carga cíclica estandarizada, lo que podría traducirse en una mejor cicatrización del tendón. NIVEL DE EVIDENCIA: Estudio de ciencia básica.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the average contact pressure curve and the percentage of final residual contact pressure at the tendon-footprint interphase of a transosseous (TO) repair performed with crossover sutures or a modified Mason-Allen (MMA) configuration. METHODS: Eight lamb shoulders were used to simulate a rotator cuff tear. The pressure was measured with a digital sensor. The baseline pressure was recorded during the application of the cyclic load and at the end of the intervention. Two repairs were compared: 2 crossover TO (CTO) sutures (n » 4) and 2 MMA sutures MMA (n » 4), using MaxBraid #2 (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN, US) sutures. A thousand cycles were performed, with a frequency of 2 Hz and a 30-N load. The Student t-test was used, and significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The average contact pressure curve was of 86.01 8.43% for parts repaired with CTO sutures, and of 73.28 12.01% for those repaired with MMA sutures (p < 0.0004). The mean residual percentage at the end of cycling was of 71.57% for CTO sutures, and of 51.19% for MMA sutures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CTO repair shows a higher average contact pressure curve and a higher percentage of final residual contact pressure at the tendon-footprint interphase than the MMA suture repair after standardized cyclic loading, potentially resulting in improved tendon healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science Study.