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Functional outcomes after physiotherapy program in patients with massive and irreparable rotator cuff tear
H J Gutiérrez-Espinoza1, P Lorenzo-García2, J Valenzuela-Fuenzalida3
1Centro de Investigación de Rehabilitación en Salud (CIRES), Universidad de las Américas, Santiago, Chile; Escuela de Kinesiología, Universidad Gabriela Mistral, Santiago, Chile.
Revista Espanola De Cirugia Ortopedica Y Traumatologia
|April 26, 2023
Summary
Physiotherapy significantly improves shoulder function and reduces pain in older adults with massive rotator cuff tears. These benefits are sustained at one year, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of the program.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Physical Therapy
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears present significant functional limitations in patients over 60.
- Conservative management options are crucial for this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the short-term and one-year functional outcomes of a physiotherapy program for elderly patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears.
Main Methods:
- 96 patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears underwent a 12-week physiotherapy program.
- Functional assessments included the Constant-Murley (shoulder function), DASH (upper limb function), and VAS (pain) at baseline, post-treatment, and one-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements (p<.05) were observed in all functional variables by the end of treatment.
- At one year, Constant-Murley scores increased by 26.5 points, DASH scores decreased by 31.4 points, and VAS pain scores decreased by 3.9 cm (all statistically significant).
Conclusions:
- A physiotherapy program yields clinically and statistically significant improvements in shoulder function and pain for older adults with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears.
- These positive functional effects are maintained at one-year follow-up.
