Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does a brace influence clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

  • Original Article
  • Published:
MUSCULOSKELETAL SURGERY Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study was to report the clinical effects of two different braces after rotator cuff repair.

Methods

Forty patients who underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively allocated in this study. Twenty patients were immobilized in 15° external rotation brace (ER Group), and twenty were immobilised in an internal rotation sling (IR Group). For all patients, four surveys were done: in the immediate pre-operative period (T0), at 1 month (T1), at 3 months (T2) and at 6 months after surgery (T3). Range of motion and pain were evaluated by an independent physician. Self-Assessment Scales [(University California Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA), Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Physician Assessment Scale (Constant)] were also administered.

Results

Abduction and ER2 (external rotation with arm in abduction) were significantly greater in the ER group at T1, T2 and T3, ER1 (external rotation with arm at side) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1 and T2, IR2 (internal rotation) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1, and FFL (forward flexion) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1. VAS was significantly lower in the ER group at T1 and T2 and T3. About the Self-Assessment Shoulder Scales after 3 and 6 months, no differences were found. SST showed a lesser functional limitation for the ER group at T3.

Conclusions

Patients operated with isolated superior or posterosuperior rotator cuff tear immobilised with brace in 15° of ER position showed less pain and a better passive range of motion at short time after surgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Boileau P, Brassart N, Watkinson DJ, Carles M, Hatzidakis AM, Krishnan SG (2005) Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness tears of the supraspinatus: does the tendon really heal? J Bone Joint Surg Am 87(6):1229–1240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hatakeyama Y, Itoi E, Pradhan RL, Urayama M, Sato K (2001) Effect of arm elevation and rotation on the strain in the repaired rotator cuff tendon. Am J Sports Med 29:788–794

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Saul KR, Hayon S, Smith TL, Tuohy CJ, Mannava S (2011) Postural dependence of passive tension in the supraspinatus following rotator cuff repair: a simulation analysis. Clin Biomech 26:804–810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Snyder SJ (2003) Arthroscopic classification of rotator cuff lesions and surgical decision making. In: Snyder SJ (ed) Shoulder arthroscopy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 201–207

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jackson M, Tetreault P, Allard P, Begon M (2013) Optimal shoulder immobilisation postures following surgical repair of rotator cuff tears: a simulation analysis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 22:1011–1018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Thomopoulos S, Williams GR, Gimbel JA, Favata M, Soslowsky LJ (2003) Variation of biomechanical, structural, and compositional properties along to bone insertion site. J Orthop Res 21(3):413–419

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rathbun JB, Macnab I (1970) The microvascular pattern of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Br 52(3):540–553

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Howe C, Huber P, Wolf FM, Matsen F 3rd (2009) Differential suture loading in an experimental rotator cuff repair. Am J Sports Med. 37(2):324–329. doi:10.1177/0363546508324308

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kulwicki KJ, Kwon YW, Kummer FJ (2010) Suture anchor loading after rotator cuff repair: effects of an additional lateral row. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 19(1):81–85. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2009.05.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and animal rights

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shoulder and Elbow Unit, IRCCS, Humanitas Institute, Milan, Italy

    M. Conti, R. Garofalo & A. Castagna

  2. Shoulder Service F Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva delle fonti, Bari, Italy

    R. Garofalo

Authors
  1. M. Conti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Garofalo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Castagna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Garofalo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Conti, M., Garofalo, R. & Castagna, A. Does a brace influence clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?. Musculoskelet Surg 99 (Suppl 1), 31–35 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-015-0357-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-015-0357-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation