Does early mobilisation improve outcomes after rotator cuff repair?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does early mobilisation after surgical repair of rotator cuff tears improve biomechanical and clinical outcomes?
IRAS ID
186086
Contact name
Bruno F Mazuquin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Shoulder pain is among the most common musculoskeletal complaints, leading to high number of General Practitioners consultations in the United Kingdom. On the top list of the disorders causing shoulder pain is rotator cuff tears. To improve this patients’ group pain and quality of life, surgical repair is often recommended, but for optimal results the rehabilitation is of great importance and must be adequately planned. After surgery a period of movement restriction is followed, however, the optimal time of immobilisation is unknown. As a common practice, patients use a sling for six weeks and avoid activities with the affected shoulder. This period is important to protect the tendon in the surgery site. Although, the delayed motion may increase the risk of shoulder stiffness, decrease muscle strength and potentially delay improvement of functionality. Based on current studies, it is difficult to make a clinical decision for a well-programmed rehabilitation regime and establish the most favorable postoperative time to start it. It is not clear if early mobilisation will benefit this patient population as the published studies have methodological flaws that compromises the applicability of their results. The question whether early mobilisation application is beneficial is of high importance to improve patients’ quality of life and also avoid further complications. Thus, the present study will be a randomised controlled trial that will follow strict methods to avoid methodological issues. Patients having surgical repair of rotator cuff tears will be later separated in two groups: one group will start mobilisation and exercises earlier, as soon as they feel comfortable in not wearing a sling; the second group will be more conservative with mobilisation and exercises, and will use a sling during 6 weeks. Patients will be assessed four times at Wrightington Hospital, in a follow up period of 12 months.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0143
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion