[Conservative management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. A prospective study of 24 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.


METHODS
A prospective open study of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography examination. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated before treatment, at the end of the treatment, and at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pain and handicap intensity were measured by a visual analogue scale, by the algo-functional Constant score, by articular mobility and, finally, by the resumption of daily and/or professional activities. Successful treatment was considered with a VAS pain score<or=20, a VAS handicap score<or=20, and a Constant score>or=80.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients, mean age 59 years, with full-thickness rotator cuff tears for 9 months, on average, were included in the study. The parameters of pain function and handicap improved significantly since the end of treatment. The Constant score improved greatly, from 44.8 before treatment to 71.8 at the end of treatment and 74.2 at 6 months. This improvement continued until 3 months after treatment. The rate of success was 75% at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the small sample size, our study confirm that rehabilitation should always be performed before a decision of surgical repair.
Koubâa
S
S
Service de Rééducation et de Réadaptation Fonctionnelle, Institut National d'Orthopédie M.-Kassab, 2010 La-Manouba Tunisie.
Ben Salah
F Z
FZ
Lebib
S
S
Miri
I
I
Ghorbel
S
S
Dziri
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*