The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) applied to the suprascapular nerve for pain relief in medically unfit patients with painful cuff tear arthropathy. Twelve patients with chronic shoulder pain due to cuff tear arthropathy were recruited. The mean age was 68 years (range, 60-83 years). The suprascapular nerve was targeted at the suprascapular notch with PRF. The patients were assessed with the Oxford score, Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score before ablation and 3 and 6 months after ablation. Statistical analysis was undertaken by use of the Friedman test. Ten patients showed improvement in the VAS score (P = .24) and Constant score (P = .005) and eleven in the Oxford score (P = .001). There was a deterioration in the VAS scores between 3 and 6 months, suggesting that the benefits were starting to wear off with time (P > .05). We conclude that PRF may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in patients with painful, end-stage rotator cuff tear arthropathy who are medically unfit for surgery.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2007.10.007DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cuff tear
16
tear arthropathy
16
suprascapular nerve
12
pulsed radiofrequency
8
applied suprascapular
8
painful cuff
8
medically unfit
8
patients painful
8
oxford score
8
score constant
8

Similar Publications

Background: Understanding factors associated with improvements in subjective shoulder function after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) helps clinicians identify targets for postoperative rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with subjective shoulder function after ARCR.

Methods: Patients who underwent ARCR for rotator cuff tear with at least 12 months of follow-up were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Acromiohumeral interval (AHI) reversibility is used to evaluate whether superior humeral migration is fixed or flexible in patients with massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs). AHI reversibility is measured as the difference in the AHI observed between standard and stress radiography. However, factors affecting AHI reversibility have not been studied in the existing literature.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopic Tenotomy versus Tenodesis with Medium-to-Massive Rotator Cuff Tear in the Elderly: A Retrospective Study.

Clin Interv Aging

January 2025

Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: Shoulder arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears with simultaneous treatment of lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon has become increasingly accepted. However, the clinical outcomes between tenotomy and tenodesis remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of tenotomy and tenodesis combined with rotator cuff repair in elderly patients with medium-to-massive rotator cuff tears.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Rotator cuff repairs may fail because of compromised blood supply, suture anchor pullout, or poor fixation to bone. To augment the repairs and promote healing of the tears, orthobiologics, such a platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and biologic scaffolds have been applied with mixed results. Adipose allograft matrix (AAM), which recruits native cells to damaged tissues, may also be a potential treatment for rotator cuff tears.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term clinical complications, outcomes, and return to sport (RTS) rates in patients aged 30 or younger with a primary full-thickness arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

Methods: All patients who underwent a primary full-thickness ARCR at age 30 years or younger from 2003 to 2021 with a minimum of a 2-year follow-up were included. Complications, repeat surgeries, and return to sport rates were collected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!