A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Early Versus Conservative Rehabilitation Following Rotator Cuff Repair

Introduction Shoulder pain affects one in three people at some point in their lives (Chester et al., 2013; van der Heijden, 1999). It is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of up to 70% (Cadogan et al., 2011; Carr et al., 2015). The leading cause of shoulder pain and disability is rotator cuff tears (RCTs) (Largacha et al., 2006; Flatow et al., 1994). RCTs are a frequent and costly problem that often results in persistent pain, with more patients choosing surgical repair each year (Sealey and Lewis, 2016). Many asymptomatic RCTs can be effectively managed non-surgically through physiotherapy-led exercises, pain medications, or cortisone injections. However, when conservative treatments fail, surgical intervention may be recommended. While both surgical and non-operative treatments have their risks and benefits, a significant percentage of individuals have asymptomatic RCTs. Over time, many of these patients are at risk of developing symptoms of pain and disability (Tashjian, 2012).

Using high-resolution sonography, Yamaguchi et al. (2001) studied 58 patients with unilateral symptomatic full-thickness RCTs alongside a contralateral asymptomatic tear. They found that 51% of the previously asymptomatic tears developed pain symptoms and showed reduced shoulder function over a mean follow-up period of 2.8 years. Additionally, 50% of the newly symptomatic tears increased in size, while only 20% of the asymptomatic tears progressed. This study indicates that if RCTs are left unrepaired, they have limited capacity for self-healing. More importantly, it suggests a significant risk of tear progression, which correlates with increased shoulder pain and loss of function. Furthermore, Mall et al. (2010) conducted a prospective study involving a cohort of 195 patients diagnosed with asymptomatic RCT (RCTs). This study examined the progression of pain, shoulder function, and tear size over time. The researchers compared 44 patients who developed symptoms to a matched group of 45 who remained asymptomatic. The findings revealed that individuals with asymptomatic RCTs who became symptomatic experienced a substantial decline in shoulder function and an increase in tear size, showing a 23% increase compared to only 4% for those who remained asymptomatic, approximately two years after the initial evaluation (P < 0.1) Previous studies (Maman et al., 2009; Safran et al., 2011) have indicated that patients with symptomatic full-thickness tears who undergo conservative treatment face a significant risk of experiencing an additional 50% tear within two years. Consequently, early surgical intervention is advised for young adults (aged 65 and younger) with significant (> 1-1.5 cm) reparable full-thickness tears, provided they do not exhibit chronic muscle changes, due to the increased likelihood of developing a larger tear over time (Tashjian, 2012). Additionally, surgical repair is recommended for acute RCT across all age groups, except for those with small (< 1-1.5 cm) full-thickness tears. This recommendation is based on the substantial risks of irreversible changes associated with conservative treatment and the high probability of healing when repair is performed promptly (Mantone et al., 2000). For instance, Petersen and Murphy (2011) suggest that substantial (> 1-1.5 cm) acute full-thickness tears should ideally be repaired within three weeks of the injury to maximize the restoration of shoulder function.

Clinical studies (Weber, 1999; Kartus et al., 2006) evaluating patients with partial-thickness and full-thickness RCTs have shown that those treated with arthroscopic debridement and acromioplasty, without tendon repair, exhibited limited spontaneous healing of the rotator cuff. Prospective longitudinal studies indicate that the long-term clinical outcomes for both arthroscopic and open rotator cuff repairs are favorable, with over 90% of patients reporting good or excellent results at a 10-year follow-up (Galatz et al., 2001; Wolf et al., 2004). However, the effectiveness of these surgical interventions can vary depending on factors such as the patient's age, the extent of the tear, and the presence of any comorbid conditions.

Further research is needed to identify optimal treatment strategies that can enhance healing and improve functional outcomes for patients with RCTs following surgery. Additionally, exploring the role of rehabilitation protocols and postoperative care may provide valuable insights into maximizing recovery and minimizing the risk of re-tears. In practice, most post-surgical rehabilitation protocols for RCT repairs focus on protecting the repaired tissue, strengthening the rotator cuff and scapulothoracic muscles, and improving shoulder range of motion [ROM] (Corban et al., 2024). However, there remains a debate regarding the most effective rehabilitation protocol for post-surgery RCT patients.

Rehabilitation typically takes between 4 and 12 months, with patients often immobilized in a sling for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery (Sheps et al., 2018). Nevertheless, there is conflicting evidence regarding the optimal duration of postoperative immobilization (Chang et al., 2015; Chan et al., 2014). Some authors suggest that early mobilization may reduce patient burden and the occurrence of postoperative shoulder stiffness and muscle atrophy but may also increase the risk of re-tears (Chang et al., 2015; Papalia et al., 2012; Denard et al., 2011). Tirefort et al. (2019), in a well-designed randomized controlled trial, compared clinical and radiographic outcomes for up to 6 months post-rotator cuff repair with and without postoperative sling immobilization in a cohort of 80 patients with isolated full-thickness superior small to medium-sized RCTs. The study found that patients who did not use a sling had better outcomes, including reduced shoulder pain, improved mobility, and higher functional scores, compared to those who underwent sling immobilization at the 3 and 6-month follow-ups. However, due to the small sample size of the participants, the findings of this study should be interpreted cautiously. A systematic review conducted by Mazuquin and colleagues (2018) examined the effectiveness of early rehabilitation compared to conservative rehabilitation for patients who underwent postoperative repair of rotator cuff tears (RCTs). The study found no significant differences in shoulder function, pain levels, ROM (ROM), or rates of retears between the two approaches. Nonetheless, the authors concluded that early mobilization might be advantageous, especially for small and medium tears, and they called for additional high-quality research, including larger randomized controlled trials (RCTs).