Purpose
To study the effects on pain as the main outcome parameter and on function and cuff
integrity as the secondary outcome parameters after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
in the short term comparing the abduction brace with an antirotation sling for postoperative
shoulder immobilization.
Methods
Eligible patients were between the ages of 18 and 75 years who were diagnosed with
a traumatic or degenerative tear of the supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendon,
confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, for which an arthroscopic footprint repair
was indicated and performed. Patients were randomly allocated to the antirotation
sling or abduction brace group. Postoperative pain and use of analgesics were accurately
registered up to 3 months after surgery using a patient diary. Follow-up examinations
including the Constant-Murley score, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index, and glenohumeral
range of motion were scheduled 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.
Results
The average level of pain measured directly postoperation up to 1 year after surgery
was not significant different between groups. Postoperatively, function scores and
glenohumeral range of motion improved significantly for both groups; however, no differences
were observed between groups. No retears were observed on ultrasonograph 3 months
after surgery.
Conclusions
In the short term, the level of pain, function, and quality of life were not significantly
different between the use of an abduction brace and that of an antirotation sling
after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Based on these findings, the abduction brace
used in this study does not seem to be the solution for decreasing the pain experienced
in the first postoperative weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and both
are recommendable.
Level of Evidence
Level I, randomized controlled trial.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 17, 2017
Accepted:
February 10,
2017
Received:
June 7,
2016
Footnotes
See commentary on page 1627
The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America
