Optimizing the management of rotator cuff problems

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Jun;19(6):368-79. doi: 10.5435/00124635-201106000-00007.

Abstract

Of the 31 recommendations made by the work group, 19 were determined to be inconclusive because of the absence of definitive evidence. Of the remaining recommendations, four were classified as moderate grade, six as weak, and two as consensus statements of expert opinion. The four moderate-grade recommendations include suggestions that exercise and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs be used to manage rotator cuff symptoms in the absence of a full-thickness tear, that routine acromioplasty is not required at the time of rotator cuff repair, that non-cross-linked, porcine small intestine submucosal xenograft patches not be used to manage rotator cuff tears, and that surgeons can advise patients that workers' compensation status correlates with less favorable outcomes after rotator cuff surgery.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Acromioclavicular Joint / surgery
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Humans
  • Joint Diseases / surgery
  • Joint Diseases / therapy*
  • Rotator Cuff / surgery*
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries*
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Shoulder Joint / surgery
  • Tendon Injuries / therapy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal