MedPath

RSA Vs RCR for Massive RCTs

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Rotator Cuff Tears
Interventions
Procedure: Arthroscopy
Device: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Registration Number
NCT05807854
Lead Sponsor
La Tour Hospital
Brief Summary

Different treatment options are available for massive or irreparable rotator cuff tears. An arthroscopic or an open repair approach is possible in the majority of cases and functional outcomes are improved, particularly when a complete arthroscopic repair can be achieved. However, the healing rate of massive rotator cuff tears after repair may remain low and failure of healing is associated with progression of arthritis. An alternative to arthroscopic or open repair is reverse shoulder arthroplasty which decreases pain and improves function, active shoulder elevation and quality of life. The primary goal of this prospective multicentric randomized study is to determine if there is a difference of functional outcomes between rotator cuff repair (RCR) repair and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

Detailed Description

The majority of degenerative rotator cuff tears occur in individuals over 60 years of age. Therefore, as our population increases in size and advances in age, the incidence of rotator cuff tears is also increasing. A growing number of people are remaining active at this age, and continue to place substantial physical demands on their shoulders notably into their seventh and eighth decades of life. At the same time, the rotator cuff undergoes intrinsic degeneration and the prevalence of osteoporosis increases. Consequently, a significant and growing number of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs are performed in individuals with poor soft tissue or bone quality. Moreover, whereas most rotator cuff tears occur at the tendon-bone insertion, fixation quality can be challenged by a tear that occurs more medially, leaving only a small amount of tendon for fixation by suture.

Different treatment options are available for massive or irreparable rotator cuff tears, including debridement and subacromial decompression, repair (partial or complete), transfer of the subscapularis tendon, transfer of the teres major muscle, deltoid flap reconstruction, transfer of the latissimus dorsi or the pectoralis major, superior capsule reconstruction, augmented cuff repair, subacromial balloon and reverse total shoulder replacements. None of these treatments has proved superiority on other ones, particularly when the rotator cuff is massively torn.

Massive degenerative rotator ruff tears are a challenge. An arthroscopic or an open repair approach is possible in the majority of cases and functional outcomes are improved, particularly when a complete arthroscopic repair can be achieved. However, the healing rate of massive rotator cuff tears after repair may remain low and failure of healing is associated with progression of arthritis. An alternative to arthroscopic or open repair is reverse shoulder arthroplasty which decreases pain and improves function, active shoulder elevation and quality of life. Recently, Liu et al. demonstrated that both rotator cuff repair (RCR) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are effective and reliable options for massive rotator cuff tears (RCT), but revealed a better shoulder function for patients in the rotator cuff repair (RCR) group. While these results are interesting, this study remains retrospective and call for new studies with a higher level of evidence.

The primary goal of this prospective multicentric randomized study is to determine if there is a difference of functional outcomes between rotator cuff repair (RCR) repair and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
160
Inclusion Criteria
  • 1 Patient voluntarily consents to participate
  • 2 Patient with a massive and reparable non traumatic rotator cuff tears after failure of conservative treatment
  • 3 Patients with the following pre-operative images: Three standardized X-rays series and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or arthro Magnetic Resonance Imaging without sign of traumatic lesions
Exclusion Criteria
  • 1 Patient has known intentions, obligations, or co-morbidity that would inhibit them from participating in the study
  • 2 Revision rotator cuff repair
  • 3 Patient consent withdrawal
  • 4 Glenohumeral arthritis defined as stage > 3 Hamada classification
  • 5 Infection and neuropathic joints
  • 6 Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse
  • 7 Patients incapable of judgement or under tutelage
  • 8 Inability to follow the procedures of the study
  • 9 Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arthroscopic surgeryArthroscopyThe massive degenerative rotator cuff tear are treated by arthroscopy. It consists in reattaching the torn tendon with anchors and sutures.
Reverse shoulder arthroplastyReverse Shoulder ArthroplastyThe problems induced by the massive degenerative rotator cuff tear are solved by a complete replacement of the shoulder joint with a prosthesis (reverse design).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) scoreAt 24 post-operative months

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score. From 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Scapular notchingAt 24 post-operative months

X-ray evaluation

DislocationAt 24 post-operative months

X-ray evaluation

Signs of suture cut-throughAt 24 post-operative months

(yes \| no). Radiographic outcome evaluated using an ultrasound examination. Only for the Arthroscopic group.

Location of the defectAt 24 post-operative months

(at the foot print \| medial cuff failure). Radiographic outcome evaluated using an ultrasound examination. Only for the Arthroscopic group.

Constant scoreAt 24 post-operative months

From 0 (worst) to 100 (best)

ComplicationWithin the 24 post-operative months

Any type of post-operative or intra-operative complication

Acromial fractureAt 24 post-operative months

X-ray evaluation

Patient satisfactionAt 24 post-operative months

Licker scale comprising 7 points

Stem subsidenceAt 24 post-operative months

X-ray evaluation

Pain on Visual Analogue Scale (pVAS)At 24 post-operative months

Pain on Visual Analogue Scale (pVAS). From 0 (best) to 10 (worst)

Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE)At 24 post-operative months

Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). From 0 (worst) to best (100)

Signs of anchor displacement and locationAt 24 post-operative months

(lateral \| medial row). Radiographic outcome evaluated using an ultrasound examination. Only for the Arthroscopic group.

Range of motionAt 24 post-operative months

Passive and active

Tendon defectAt 24 post-operative months

According to the Sugaya classification

Signs of stem or glenoid looseningAt 24 post-operative months

X-ray evaluation

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Oregon Health & Science University

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

La Tour hospital

🇨🇭

Meyrin, Geneva, Switzerland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath