title: [Efficiency of a postoperative treatment after rotator cuff repair with a continuous passive motion device (CPM)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study was to prove that a postoperative combined continuous passive motion (CPM) and physiotherapy treatment protocol (CPM group) can achieve 90 degrees active abduction in the shoulder joint earlier than physiotherapy alone (PT group). The indication was a complete tear of the rotator cuff.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted under in-patient and out-patient conditions. 55 patients were included in this study. The prospective, randomized multicenter study design complies with DIN EN 540. The primary endpoint was the time span until 90 degrees active abduction was achieved by the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the CPM group reached the primary endpoint on average 12 days earlier than the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0292). Analyzing the secondary endpoints, e. g., pain and disablement, the results in the CPM group showed again advantages of the combined treatment protocol (CPM + physiotherapy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The postoperative treatment of a total tear of the rotator cuff with a combined continuous passive motion and physiotherapy protocol provided a significantly earlier range of motion in the shoulder joint than physiotherapy alone. There was no report of CPM-related adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Köln. joern.michael@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: J W-P
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Imhoff
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hübscher
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dreithaler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernholt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loew
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rickert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speck
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bös
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bidner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eysel
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome