Summary

Data of 663 patients with three different pathologies were examined. We found that using patients with significant symptoms and functional difficulty in the opposite shoulder will not bias the results of observational studies if outcomes are based on routine disability measures such as ASES or Constant-Murley scores.

Summary

Analysis of existing data of patients who had undergone debridement procedure for osteoarthritis (OA) of glenohumeral joint showed improvement in disability at a minimum of one year following surgery. Injured workers were significantly younger and had a poorer outcome.

Summary

In the sample studied, reparability of large and massive tears was associated with pre-op ASES and active external rotation in neutral position. Surgical factors affecting reparability were tear size, tendon mobility and shape of the tear.

Summary

In the sample studied, reparability of large and massive tears was associated with pre-op ASES and active external rotation in neutral position. Surgical factors affecting reparability were tear size, tendon mobility and shape of the tear.

Purpose

The introduction of alternate care provider roles is at the forefront of many new health human resource strategies and is one of the key approaches in reducing orthopaedic wait times in Canada. The present study was part of a formal evaluation of an expanded role for physiotherapists which included referral triage, comprehensive assessment and development of a management plan and post-surgical follow-ups. Specifically, we examined the efficacy and role of an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) with respect to reduction in wait times to care for patients with shoulder complaints referred to an orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty in shoulder reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement properties of four commonly used disability measures. We hypothesized that all measures would have a high (0.8 or > 0.8) internal consistency and ability to discriminate between men and women’s level of disability. A moderate convergent validity (0.5 to 1.00).

Method: This was a prospective longitudinal study of patients with advanced primary osteoarthritis of glenohumeral joint who underwent a Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA). Four measures [Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) Index, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon’s (ASES) assessment, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH)] were completed 2–3 weeks before surgery and at 6 months after surgery. The measurement properties were examined in:

internal consistency as a measure of reliability,

Analysis involved calculating Cronbach Coefficient Alpha to measure internal consistency. Convergent validity was examined by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Analysis of Variance examined the extent of known group validity. The Standardized Response Mean (SRM) was used to measure the relative sensitivity to change.

Results: Seventy patients (mean age: 65, range: 35–86, 44 females, 26 males) participated in the study. The Cronbach Coefficient Alpha was high at 0.91, 0.86, and 0.83 for WOOS, ASES, and QuickDASH respectively. Cross-sectional convergent validity was moderate with correlations varying from 0.54 to 0.79. Longitudinal convergent validity ranged from 0.58 to 0.88. All measures were able to discriminate between men and women at p< 0.05 with Cohen’s d of 1.07, 0.85, 0.82, and 0.55 for QuickDASH, CMS, WOOS, and ASES respectively. The SRM was 2.41, 2.17, 1.88, and 1.63 for WOOS, CMS, ASES and QuickDASH respectively.

Conclusion: All four disability measures were valid and reliable in candidates for TSA. The WOOS, a disease-specific outcome demonstrated a higher reliability and sensitivity to change than other measures. QuickDASH had a better ability to differentiate between men and women. Clinicians may not gain additional information by administrating multiple similar outcome measures. Researchers will decrease their chance of declaring a statistical significance by choosing one primary outcome measure.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the level of pre and 6 months post operative objective and subjective measures of disability between patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears and those with impingement syndrome/partial thickness rotator cuff tears.

Method: This study involved a review of prospectively collected data from a consecutive series of patients who had undergone surgery related to rotator cuff pathology (acromioplasty with or without resection of clavicle for impingement syndrome/partial thickness rotator cuff tears or repair for full-thickness rotator cuff tears). Exclusion criteria included previous surgery, concomitant pathologies, and work-related injuries with an active compensation claim related to the shoulder. Standardized pre and post-operative data (history and clinical examination, including strength assessment) were collected. To measure symptoms and functional levels, all patients completed a disease-specific outcome measure, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index which explores five domains of physical symptoms, life style, work, sports, and emotions. Paired and independent non-parametric (Wilcoxon two sample tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests) statistics were used where normality of data were violated.

Results: Three hundred and five patients (130 women and 175 men) with a mean age of 58 years (range, 21–82) met inclusion criteria. One hundred and ninety eight (65%) patients had full-thickness rotator cuff tears and 107(35%) had impingement [59 (55%)] or partial thickness rotator cuff tears [48 (45%)]. Patients with full-thickness tears complained of greater weakness, had a higher prevalence of a specific injury such as fall on an outstretched hand, and reported a higher frequency of insidious onset of pain. The full-thickness tear group was significantly weaker in elevation both pre and post-operatively. Patients with impingement syndrome expressed more severe symptoms and more emotional disability prior to surgery and had more physical disability related to lifting and performing activities of daily living and more emotional disability 6 months after surgery. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in overall pain, WORC score, and strength 6 months following surgery.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the extent of rotator cuff pathology and level of physical and emotional disability do not necessarily correlate positively in the early phase of recovery. Patients with less severe rotator cuff pathology tend to be more disabled both before and after surgery. This needs to be considered when planning for return to work and other activities and when assessing treatment outcomes.

The purpose of this historical prospective study was to compare the pre and post-operative Quality of Life (QOL) outcomes twelve months post-operatively in patients with partial thickness rotator cuff tears.

Data of ninety-three consecutive patients diagnosed with Partial Thickness Tear (PTT) who had undergone decompression, acromioplasty, or repair were used to compare the outcome between patients with Articular Tears (AT) and Bursal Tears (BT). The QOL outcome measures included one disease specific outcome measure, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and two shoulder specific measures, the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons standardised shoulder assessment form (ASES) and the Constant-Murley score. A statistical paired t-test (pre vs. twelve months) and an independent t-test analysis (Articular vs. Bursal) were conducted to examine the impact of the tear site.

Forty-four Articular and forty-nine Bursal tears (forty-eight females and forty-five males) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 55.5 (SD: 13) and 53.3 (SD: 12) for the AT and BT groups respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in pre-operative QOL outcome scores. Both groups showed significant improvement in the above outcomes (p< 0.0001) one year following surgery. However, the AT group was significantly less improved than the BT group in the post-op ASES scores (p=0.04), Constant-Murley scores (p=0.006) and WORC (p=0.01).

The intent of this study was to compare the pre and post operative scores and rate of improvement in two groups of patients suffering from rotator cuff pathology at different sites. The results indicate that the quality of life improves significantly regardless of the tear site. The pattern of recovery however is different indicating that patients with Bursal tears show a higher degree of improvement in their functional measures. The findings suggest that two types of tears are different in their etiology and pathomechanics.

There is an association between SLAP lesions and laxity of the shoulder. The relationship between rotator cuff disease and hypermobility has also been implied. The purpose of this case-control study was to assess the impact of rotator cuff and superior labral pathologies on degree of glenohumeral translation and range of motion of the shoulder in comparison with individuals with normal shoulders.

This study involved individuals with asymptomatic shoulders (control group), and individuals with Rotator Cuff (RC) and Superior Labral Anterior and Posterior (SLAP) pathologies who underwent a repair. Subjects were matched by age, gender and hand dominance side. To assess laxity, all subjects including the control group were examined under anesthesia. The degree of humeral head translation was recorded in three (anterior, posterior and inferior) directions. Range of motion was documented in five directions.

Forty-six females and forty-four males with RC pathology and twenty-seven men with SLAP pathology were compared with the age and gender matched control group. The number of women with SLAP pathology was not sufficient for analysis. Rotator cuff pathology reduced range of motion of the affected side in all directions including flexion, elevation in scapular plane, internal rotation at ninety degrees of abduction and external rotation at zero and ninety degrees of abduction (p=0.02 to p< 0.001) as compared to normal population. Men with SLAP pathology had reduced range of motion in all directions (p< 0.001) except external rotation at ninety degrees of abduction. There were no statistically significant differences in glenohumeral glides between the normal group and SLAP group. However, the affected side of the patients with RC pathology had less laxity than normal population in anterior and posterior directions.

Presence of rotator cuff and superior labral pathologies affect biomechanics and consequently range of motion and accessory movements of the glenohumeral joint. We were unable to confirm a positive relationship between laxity and SLAP and RC pathologies. Prolonged disuse of the shoulder in these pathologies might have played a role in our findings.

Type II SLAP lesions account for 22–55% of all SLAP lesions and are described as detachment of the superior labrum along with the biceps anchor from the superior glenoid rim. This detachment may be associated with glenohumeral joint instability. The majority of SLAP lesions are associated with other pathologies such as rotator cuff tears, Bankart and other instability lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions, two years following arthroscopic repair with suture anchors.

Data on thirty-eight consecutive patients (thirty-four males, four females, mean age: forty-five years, range, twenty-two to seventy years) were used for analysis. Outcome measures were the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) assessment form and the Constant-Murley score. Thirteen patients had work-related injuries. Specific tests for SLAP lesion (i.e. New pain provocation test, O’Brien test, Yergason’s Test) were conducted pre-operatively.

Twenty-three patients had surgery on the right side. The O’Brien test was positive in 51% of the patients. The minimum follow up period was twenty-four months. Five patients had isolated SLAP type II lesion. Thirty-three had associated pathologies. Ten patients had rotator cuff repair. Twelve patients required acromioplasty and one patient underwent the long head of biceps tenodesis. Three patients had associated Bankart lesions. All patients showed significant improvement in ASES scores (p< 0.0001). However, Patients with work-related injuries did not show a significant improvement in Constant-Murley scores (p=0.20). Associated pathologies did not affect level of disability or subjective scores post-operatively. Strength did not change to a statistically significant level following SLAP repairs.

Arthroscopic SLAP repair provides significant improvement in subjective scores of the ASES. Patients with work-related injuries demonstrate a different pattern of recovery.

Introduction: Type II SLAP lesion account for 22–55% of all SLAP lesions and described as detachment of the superior labrum along with the biceps anchor from the superior glenoid rim. This detachment leads to a significant Gleno Humeral Joint instability at the anterior-posterior and superior inferior directions. Majority of SLAP lesions are associated with rotator cuff tears, and partial or complete Bankart lesions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions 2 years following arthroscopic repair with suture anchors.

Type of study: Prospective historical.

Methods: Data of consecutive thirty-eight patients (34 males, 4 females, mean age: 45 years, range, 22 to 70 years were used for analysis. Outcome measures were the ASES and Constant Murley. Thirteen patients had work-related injuries. Specific tests for SLAP lesion (i.e. New pain provocation test, O’Brien test, Yergason’s Test) were conducted pre-operatively.

Results: Twenty-three patients had surgery on the right side. The minimum follow up period was 24 months. Five patients had isolated SLAP II lesion repair. Thirty-three had associated pathologies. Ten patients had rotator cuff repair. Twelve patients required acromioplasty and 12 patients underwent the long head of biceps tenodesis. Three patients had associated Bankart lesions. ALL patients showed significant improvement in ASES scores (p< 0.0001). However, Patients with work-related injuries did not show a significant improvement in Constant scores (p=0.20). Pathology did not affect level of disability or subjective scores post-operatively. Strength did not change following SLAP repairs.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic SLAP repair provides significant improvement in subjective scores of joint-specific measures (ASES). Patients with work-related injuries demonstrate a different pattern of recovery.

Purpose: The purpose of this historical prospective study was to compare the pre- and post-operative Quality of Life (QOL) outcomes 12 months post-operatively between Articular Tears (AT) and Bursal Tears (BT) of patients with partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff

Methods: Data of 93 consecutive patients diagnosed with Partial Thickness Tear (PTT) who had undergone decompression, acromiploasty, or repair were used to compare outcome between patients with Articular Tears and Bursal Tears. The QOL outcome measures included one disease specific outcome measure, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and two shoulder specific measures, the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons standardized shoulder assessment form (ASES) and the Constant-Murley score. A statistical paired t-test (pre vs. 12 months) and an independent t-test analysis (Articular vs. Bursal) were conducted to examine the impact of the tear site.

Results: Forty-four Articular and 49 Bursal tears (48 females and 45 males) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 55.5 (SD: 13) and 53.3 (SD: 12) for the AT and BT groups respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in pre-operative QOL outcome scores. Both groups showed significant improvement in the above outcomes (p< 0.0001) one year following surgery. However, the AT group was significantly less improved than the BT group in the ASES scores (p=0.005), and Constant-Murley scores (p=0.035). The WORC was not sensitive in differentiating between the two groups (p=0.11).

Conclusion: The intent of this study was to compare the pre-operative and rate of improvement in two groups of patients suffering from different site of rotator cuff pathology. The results indicate that the quality of life improves significantly regardless of the tear site. The pattern of recovery however is different indicating that patients with Bursal tear show a higher degree of improvement in their functional measures, possibly due to reduced mechanical compression on rotator cuff.

Purpose: The purpose of this historical prospective study was to compare the pre and post-operative range of motion (ROM) and quality of life outcomes 6 months post-operatively in patients with partial and full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.

Methods: Data of 90 consecutive patients diagnosed with partial thickness tear (PTT) who had undergone decompression and or acromiploasty were compared with 90 patients (age and gender-matched) who had undergone repair of a full-thickness tear (FTT). The outcomes were objective pre and post-operative range of motion (ROM) in 5 directions and three patient-derived outcome measures; one disease-specific, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, and two shoulder specific measures: the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons standardized shoulder assessment form and, the Constant-Murley. A statistical paired t-test analysis was conducted between change (pre vs. 6 months) in ROM and QOL scores to examine the impact of severity on improvement between the 2 groups.

Results: Forty-three females and 47 males in each group (180 subjects in total) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 54.8 and 54.9 for the PTT and FTT groups respectively. The PTT group was significantly stiffer in pre-operative passive flexion (p=0.010), abduction (p=0.022) and active external rotation at 0 degree of abduction (p=0.040). The 6-month WORC, ASES, and relative Constant all showed significant improvement in quality of life in both groups (p< 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference in passive external rotation at 0 degrees of abduction between groups with FTT group being stiffer than the PTT group (p=0.019) post-operatively. Change in ROM was not significantly different in all other directions.

Conclusions: The intent of this study was to compare the pre-operative and rate of improvement in two groups of patients suffering from different severity of pathology. The results indicate that quality of life improves significantly regardless of the extent of tear (partial thickness vs. full thickness). Patients with FTT may require a longer time to improve their range of motion in external rotation.

The purpose of this study was to examine clinical outcomes of capsular plication using subjective outcome measures and objective clinical examination with emphasis on range of motion. Data of consecutive patients (twenty-five at six months and twenty at twelve months) who required arthroscopic stabilization over a period of three years were retrospectively reviewed. At six and twelve month post-operatively, the disease specific outcome measure, ASES, and relative Constant, showed significant changes in quality of life. There was no loss of external rotation at 0° and 90° of external rotation at one year post-operatively.

The purpose of this study was firstly to assess the effectiveness of capsular plication, in the treatment of instability related pathology, using subjective outcome measures and secondly to look specifically at the effect of this procedure on range of motion.

Suture capsular plication has been advocated as a less invasive technique to reduce symptomatic capsular laxity with less morbidity than traditional open techniques. There is, however, little evidence that this procedure has the same clinical effectiveness as open capsular shift procedures.

Arthroscopic capsular plication improves quality of life (QOL) in patients suffering from shoulder instability without significantly restricting external rotation.

Data of consecutive patients who required arthroscopic stabilization over a period of three years were retrospectively reviewed. Three outcome measures were used; one disease-specific and two shoulder specific measures:

the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons standardized shoulder assessment form and,

Analysis involved a paired T test between the means of each outcome measure pre and post-surgery.

Twenty-five patients had complete pre-op and six- month post-op data. Twenty subjects had complete pre-op and twelve- month post-op data. At six month post-operatively, the disease specific outcome, relative Constant, and ASES showed significant improvement in QOL scores (P< 0.000, 0.006, and, 0.004 respectively). At twelve- month post surgery, change in all measures remained statistically significant. There was no loss of range of motion in external rotation at 0° or 90° of abduction between initial and follow up assessments in the clinic.

Funding: This study was supported by the research funds of the Orthopedic & Arthritic Institute, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre.

Purpose: Purpose: Prognostic factors for a satisfactory result for repaired tears have been postulated to include patient age and size of tear. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of rotator cuff tear size on pre-operative and 2 year post-operative perceived functional level of patients undergoing repair of the full-thickness tear.

Methods: Methods: Data of 88 consecutive patients were included in data analysis. Patients were categorized into two groups: small or moderate tear (SMT) group, and large or massive tear (LMT) group. Two self-report measures - the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) evaluation form - were used to examine disability at baseline, and two years after surgery for repair of the rotator cuff. The Constant Murley (CM), which evaluates range of motion, strength and self-report function, was also used at the two time periods. A two-way, repeated measures analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) compared the two groups across the two times. Covariates were age and gender.

Results: Results: Fifty-two patients (mean age = 56.6±10.4) had small or moderate and 36 (mean age = 66.7±11.3) had large or massive full-thickness tears. The results of all measures at both time periods demonstrated poorer function for the LMT group (pre WORC 31.4, post WORC 59.0; pre ASES 37.0, post ASES 65.0; pre CM 49.3, post CM 69.6) compared to the SMT group (pre WORC 38.2, post WORC 67.2; pre ASES 43.4, post ASES 73.8; pre CM 55.3, post CM 80.7). Both groups had improved function at 2 years post-operatively, but the rate of change was similar in the two groups.

Conclusions: Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the size of a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff has an effect on shoulder function both pre and postoperatively, but not on the pattern of recovery.