Fifteen-Year Results of a Comparative Analysis of Tendon Repair Versus Physiotherapy for Small-to-Medium-Sized Rotator Cuff Tears: A Concise Follow-up of Previous Reports.

Abstract: The optimal treatment for small-to-medium-sized rotator cuff tears remains a topic of debate. While both tendon repair and physiotherapy have shown comparable short-term results, there are concerns about the long-term effectiveness of physiotherapy. In 2 previous reports presenting the 5 and 10-year results of this trial, significant and increasing differences were observed in favor of tendon repair.

At a 10-Year Follow-up, Tendon Repair Is Superior to Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Small and Medium-Sized Rotator Cuff Tears.

Background: Tendon repair and physiotherapy are frequently used treatment methods for small and medium-sized rotator cuff tears. In 2 previous publications of the 1 and 5-year results of this study, we reported significant but small between-group differences in favor of tendon repair. Long-term results are needed to assess whether the results in both groups remain stable over time.

Feasibility of cardiovascular disease risk assessments in rheumatology outpatient clinics: experiences from the nationwide NOCAR project.

Objective: The European League Against Rheumatism recommends implementing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessments for patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) into clinical practice. Our goal was to design a structured programme for CVD risk assessments to be implemented into routine rheumatology outpatient clinic visits.

Methods: The NOrwegian Collaboration on Atherosclerosis in patients with Rheumatic joint diseases (NOCAR) started in April 2014 as a quality assurance project including 11 Norwegian rheumatology clinics.

Guideline recommended treatment to targets of cardiovascular risk is inadequate in patients with inflammatory joint diseases.

Objectives: Patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our goal was to examine indications for, and use of, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and antihypertensive treatment (AntiHT) in patients with IJD. Furthermore, to investigate the frequency of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and blood pressure (BP) goal attainment among IJD patients.

Negative effect of zoledronic acid on tendon-to-bone healing.

Background and purpose - Outcome after ligament reconstruction or tendon repair depends on secure tendon-to-bone healing. Increased osteoclastic activity resulting in local bone loss may contribute to delayed healing of the tendon-bone interface. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZA) on tendon-to-bone healing.

Structured Goal Planning and Supportive Telephone Follow-up in Rheumatology Care: Results From a Pragmatic, Stepped-Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Trial.

Objective: To evaluate patient-reported health effects of an add-on structured goal-planning and supportive telephone follow-up rehabilitation program compared with traditional rehabilitation programs in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: In this pragmatic stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, 389 patients with rheumatic diseases recruited from 6 rehabilitation centers received either traditional rehabilitation or traditional rehabilitation extended with an add-on program tailored to individual needs. The add-on program comprised a self-management booklet, motivational interviewing in structured individualized goal planning, and 4 supportive follow-up phone calls after discharge.

Remembered preoperative Quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) scores.

Unlabelled: The Quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) patient-reported outcome measure is frequently used to assess disabilities and symptoms of the upper extremity. This study compares real preoperative QuickDASH scores and remembered preoperative QuickDASH scores. Remembered preoperative QuickDASH scores were obtained 45 months (39-67) after surgery.

MRI of symptomatic and asymptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. A comparison of findings in 100 subjects.

Background And Purpose: Why some full-thickness rotator cuff tears are symptomatic and others are asymptomatic is not understood. By comparing MRI findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic tears, we wanted to identify any tear characteristics that differed between groups.

Patients And Methods: 50 subjects with asymptomatic and 50 subjects with symptomatic full-thickness tears were examined by MRI.

Comparison between surgery and physiotherapy in the treatment of small and medium-sized tears of the rotator cuff: A randomised controlled study of 103 patients with one-year follow-up.

In order to compare the outcome from surgical repair and physiotherapy, 103 patients with symptomatic small and medium-sized tears of the rotator cuff were randomly allocated to one of the two approaches. The primary outcome measure was the Constant score, and secondary outcome measures included the self-report section of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, the Short Form 36 Health Survey and subscores for shoulder movement, pain, strength and patient satisfaction. Scores were taken at baseline and after six and 12 months by a blinded assessor.

Prevalence and characteristics of asymptomatic tears of the rotator cuff: an ultrasonographic and clinical study.

We undertook clinical and ultrasonographic examination of the shoulders of 420 asymptomatic volunteers aged between 50 and 79 years. MRI was performed in selected cases. Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff were detected in 32 subjects (7.

Sonography of the rotator cuff in painful shoulders performed without knowledge of clinical information: results from 58 sonographic examinations with surgical correlation.

Purpose: To assess the value of sonography as an isolated diagnostic test for the detection and quantification of rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Preoperative sonographic examination was performed on 58 shoulders. Key biases on sonographic interpretation such as history-taking, physical examination, or concurrent imaging examinations were excluded by way of blinding.

Diagnostic ultrasound of the shoulder--a method for experts only? Results from an orthopedic surgeon with relative inexpensive compared to operative findings.

Background: Diagnostic ultrasound examination of the shoulder is generally considered to require long experience. We examined the results of an orthopedic surgeon with little experience of ultrasound.

Patients And Methods: A relatively inexperienced examiner performed preoperative ultrasound scanning of 79 patients with symptoms from the rotator cuff and/or the long head of the biceps muscle.