Postoperative rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair is important to promote tendon healing, restore strength, and recover normal function. The aim of this study is to assess whether aquatic rehabilitation is more efficient than classical rehabilitation (land-based session) in term of range of motion, function, and pain than classical rehabilitation (land-based session) after an arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff.
Introduction: Postoperative rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair is important to promote tendon healing, restore strength, and recover normal function. Aquatic rehabilitation in hot water allows body relaxation and well-being that promote patient conditioning for efficient rehabilitation and is appreciated by patients. The aim of this study is to assess whether aquatic rehabilitation is more efficient than classical rehabilitation (land-based session) in term of range of motion, function, and pain after an arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods: This prospective case-control clinical study is randomized 1:1 between rehabilitation with hydrotherapy and land-based (standard) rehabilitation. This superiority trial that included 84 patients that have benefited from an arthroscopic superior cuff repair. Patients were evaluated clinically at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 24 months and using ultrasound at 6 months. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to determine if 2-year postoperative scores were associated with gender, body mass index (BMI), age at index operation, rehabilitation group (Hydrotherapy vs Standard), and baseline passive range of motion (PROM) Active range of motion (AROM).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
84
Aquatic therapy was performed in a swimming pool (depth 125-140 cm, temperature 28-31°C) supervised by a physiotherapist. Patients were asked to kneel or sit to submerge both shoulders to perform exercises consisting of progressive passive and active motion of the shoulder for 4-6 weeks, then strengthening exercises in a swimming pool for 2-4 months.
Land-based therapy was performed at a rehabilitation center supervised by a physiotherapist. Patients performed progressive passive and active-assisted motion of the shoulder for 4-6 weeks, then strengthening exercises for 2-4 months.
La Tour Hospital
Meyrin, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
Passive forward flexion
As primary outcome, we will evaluate if passive antepulsion is superior with balneotherapy than classical rehabilitation (land-based session). We consider the effective intervention with a 105 ° forward flexion.
Time frame: 1.5 months
Pain (Visual Analogue Scale)
Minimum score is 0 while maximum score is 10. The higher the score, the worse is the outcome.
Time frame: 1.5 months
Constant Score
Minimum score is 0 while maximum score is 100. The higher the score, the better is the outcome.
Time frame: 1.5 months
Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score
Minimum score is 0 while the maximum score is 100. The higher the score, the better the outcome.
Time frame: 1.5 months
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