A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Daily Vibration After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.
BACKGROUND
Rotator cuff repair is a common method to treat rotator cuff tears; however, retear rates remain high. High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration has been demonstrated to promote new bone formation in both animal models and in humans.


OBJECTIVE
This type of mechanical stimulation applied postoperatively will enhance tendon-to-bone healing and reduce postoperative retear rates.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effects of 5 minutes of 80-Hz vibration applied daily after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for 6 months on postoperative rotator cuff healing. The primary outcome was ultrasound-assessed repair integrity at 6 months after repair. Recruited patients were randomized into 2 groups: one group received a vibration device that oscillated at 80 Hz, and the other group received a placebo device.


RESULTS
The postoperative retear rates of both groups were similar (9.1% [5/55] in the vibration group, and 9.3% [5/54] in the placebo group) at 6 months as determined by ultrasound imaging. Vibration did provide acute pain relief at 6 weeks after surgery (visual analog scale [VAS] score, 2.24 ± 0.29 cm) compared with placebo (VAS score, 3.67 ± 0.48 cm) (P < .003). Six months after surgery, both groups had significant reductions in pain during overhead activities, at rest, and during sleep and overall shoulder pain compared with before surgery (P < .001). Both the vibration and placebo groups had significant increases in shoulder strength with abduction in the scapular plane, adduction, liftoff, internal rotation, and external rotation 6 months after surgery. Statistical analysis showed that vibration was not a contributing factor at improving these parameters in these periods.


CONCLUSIONS
High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration did provide acute pain relief on application 6 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. However, vibration did not improve tendon-to-bone healing, shoulder range of motion, shoulder strength, or shoulder pain with activities, at rest, and at night when compared with placebo.
Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Patrick H
PH
Lam
Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Kaitlyn
K
Hansen
Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Geffrey
G
Keighley
Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Lisa
L
Hackett
Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia murrell.g@ori.org.au.
George A C
GA
Murrell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration
arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; rotator cuff; shoulder; tendon-to-bone healing; vibration