Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the effectiveness of supervised rehabilitation in comparison to uncontrolled exercise therapy after surgical reconstruction of rotator cuff interrupted tendons.
METHODS
Twenty two patients with comparable level of disability after the same type of surgery were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group took part in a supervised therapy and the second one performed simple exercises without supervision. Clinical and neurophysiological examinations were performed prior to rehabilitation and after 20 and 40 days of treatment. The evaluation included the assessment of the pain level with visual analog scale, active range of motion with gonio-meter, activity of muscle's motor units at rest and during maximal effort with electromyography and transmission of motor fibers in brachial plexus with electroneurography (M-wave stimulation studies).
RESULTS
In the group of supervised patients the active range of movement changed significantly from 26.4º to 101.5º on average for flexion with adduction while flexion with abduction improved from 21º to 95.5º. Pain sensation changed from 6.4 to 3.2. The mean resting electromyogram amplitude decreased to the greatest degree from 80.9 µV to 36.8 µV in trapezius muscle while maximal effort electromyogram amplitude increased in this muscle from 381.8 µV to 790.9 µV. The mean values of amplitudes in electroneurographical suprascapular nerve examinations increased from 536.4µV to 1691µV. No significant differences at P=0.05 were found in these parameters recorded in the patients performing uncontrolled exercises.
CONCLUSION
The supervised exercise therapy is more effective than uncontrolled one after the rotator cuff surgical reconstruction.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Lisinski P, Huber J, Wilkosz P, Witkowska A, Wytrazek M, Samborski W, Zagloba A

Institution

Department and Clinic for Physiotherapy, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. zpnr@wp.pl

Source

The International journal of artificial organs 35:1 2012 Jan pg 45-54

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Arthrometry, Articular
Biomechanics
Brachial Plexus
Electromyography
Exercise Therapy
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal
Neural Conduction
Orthopedic Procedures
Pain Measurement
Pain, Postoperative
Poland
Range of Motion, Articular
Recovery of Function
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder Pain
Tendon Injuries
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22287203