Effectiveness of Multimodal Physical Therapy Combined With Exercise in Partial-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: a Prospective Observational Study

Although partial thickness rotator cuff tear prevalence is greater than those of full-thickness tear, most studies on conservative treatment are associated with full-thickness tears. In general, any physical therapy modality alone is not effective in the treatment of rotator cuff tears. It has been reported that multimodal physiotherapy may be more successful than monotherapy, but evidence in this regard is inadequate. Therefore this observational prospective study aiming to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the treatment of rotator cuff tears was planned. The null hypothesis of this study is that multimodal physical therapy combined with exercise has no effect on pain and function in the treatment of partial thickness rotator cuff tears. The alternative hypothesis is the opposite.

Patients will be assessed by standardized measures in terms of pain and function (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons standardized shoulder form: patient self report section), active range of motion (goniometric measurement) and quality of life (Western Ontario rotator cuff index) at baseline and first, third and 6th months of follow-up.