Hydrotherapy Versus Classical Rehabilitation After Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair

Hydrotherapy Versus Classical Rehabilitation After Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair: a Randomized Prospective Study

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).

This prospective case-control clinical study is randomized 1:1 between rehabilitation with hydrotherapy and land-based rehabilitation.

Medical history, demographics, and clinical scores will be collected by the selected and blinded investigator (on corresponding case reporting forms). Patients will be informed of the blinding procedure. They should not unblind investigator during the whole follow-up.

The participants will start with passive mobilization right after surgery for 4 weeks. Intervention in hydrotherapy will follow after that.

The participants will start with passive mobilization right after surgery for 4 weeks. Intervention in classic dry land based rehabilitation will follow after that.

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.

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.

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years old or more Arthroscopic cuff repair of supraspinatus tendon (with potentially concomitant of infraspinatus tendon repair, tenodesis or tenotomy of brachial biceps tendon, acromioplasty, and distal clavicle removal). Exclusion Criteria: Lesion of subscapularis tendon; SLAP lesion; Second rotator cuff surgery; Frozen shoulder (i.e. Forward flexion reduced of 25% or more); Inability to follow the study protocol

Brady B, Redfern J, MacDougal G, Williams J. The addition of aquatic therapy to rehabilitation following surgical rotator cuff repair: a feasibility study. Physiother Res Int. 2008 Sep;13(3):153-61. doi: 10.1002/pri.403.

Burmaster C, Eckenrode BJ, Stiebel M. Early Incorporation of an Evidence-Based Aquatic-Assisted Approach to Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation: Prospective Case Study. Phys Ther. 2016 Jan;96(1):53-61. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20140178. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

Chae CS, Jun JH, Im S, Jang Y, Park GY. Effectiveness of Hydrotherapy on Balance and Paretic Knee Strength in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 May;99(5):409-419. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001357.

Constant CR, Murley AH. A clinical method of functional assessment of the shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1987 Jan;(214):160-4.

Cuesta-Vargas AI, Cano-Herrera C, Formosa D, Burkett B. Electromyographic responses during time get up and go test in water (wTUG). Springerplus. 2013 May 10;2(1):217. doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-217. Print 2013 Dec.

Ghodadra NS, Provencher MT, Verma NN, Wilk KE, Romeo AA. Open, mini-open, and all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery: indications and implications for rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009 Feb;39(2):81-9. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.2918.

Giaquinto S, Ciotola E, Dall'Armi V, Margutti F. Hydrotherapy after total knee arthroplasty. A follow-up study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2010 Jul-Aug;51(1):59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2009.07.007. Epub 2009 Sep 6.

Gilbart MK, Gerber C. Comparison of the subjective shoulder value and the Constant score. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2007 Nov-Dec;16(6):717-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2007.02.123.

Kukkonen J, Kauko T, Vahlberg T, Joukainen A, Aarimaa V. Investigating minimal clinically important difference for Constant score in patients undergoing rotator cuff surgery. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Dec;22(12):1650-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2013.05.002. Epub 2013 Jul 12.

Longo UG, Berton A, Risi Ambrogioni L, Lo Presti D, Carnevale A, Candela V, Stelitano G, Schena E, Nazarian A, Denaro V. Cost-Effectiveness of Supervised versus Unsupervised Rehabilitation for Rotator-Cuff Repair: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Apr 21;17(8):2852. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17082852.

Mazzocca AD, Arciero RA, Shea KP, Apostolakos JM, Solovyova O, Gomlinski G, Wojcik KE, Tafuto V, Stock H, Cote MP. The Effect of Early Range of Motion on Quality of Life, Clinical Outcome, and Repair Integrity After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Arthroscopy. 2017 Jun;33(6):1138-1148. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2016.10.017. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

Mitchell C, Adebajo A, Hay E, Carr A. Shoulder pain: diagnosis and management in primary care. BMJ. 2005 Nov 12;331(7525):1124-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1124. No abstract available.

Rahmann AE, Brauer SG, Nitz JC. A specific inpatient aquatic physiotherapy program improves strength after total hip or knee replacement surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 May;90(5):745-55. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.12.011.

Speer KP, Cavanaugh JT, Warren RF, Day L, Wickiewicz TL. A role for hydrotherapy in shoulder rehabilitation. Am J Sports Med. 1993 Nov-Dec;21(6):850-3. doi: 10.1177/036354659302100616. No abstract available.

Thomson S, Jukes C, Lewis J. Rehabilitation following surgical repair of the rotator cuff: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2016 Mar;102(1):20-8. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.08.003. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Williams GR Jr, Rockwood CA Jr, Bigliani LU, Iannotti JP, Stanwood W. Rotator cuff tears: why do we repair them? J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004 Dec;86(12):2764-76. No abstract available.