Study on the Application of Shock Wave Technique After Rotator Cuff Operation

Director of Rehabilitation Medicine

This study is a prospective cohort study and is a single-center clinical trial. The subjects of this study were patients who underwent rotator cuff repair in the Department of Sports Medicine and the Department of Rehabilitation in the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University. The sample size of this study is about 2600 cases. We will collect the results of shoulder joint function score, quality of life score, pain score and MRI examination of all participants at baseline. Meanwhile, epidemiological data and related clinical characteristics of patients will be collected at the time of enrollment. All the collected data information was entered into the computer for statistical analysis, and the prognosis of patients under different programs was evaluated.

The shoulder joint is the most flexible joint in the body, and the rotator cuff is an important structure to maintain its stability, and the flexibility of the shoulder joint also leads to joint instability leading to rotator cuff tears, especially in the elderly, previous studies have shown that the incidence of rotator cuff tears in people under the age of 20 is 9.7%, and the incidence of rotator cuff tears in people over the age of 80 can reach 62%. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of limited mobility and pain in the shoulder joint, severely affecting patients' quality of life. Young people, high-level athletes and sports enthusiasts also have a higher risk of rotator cuff injury.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is widely used in the treatment of rotator cuff tears, and has many advantages such as less postoperative tissue damage, less surgical scar, less infection, and faster recovery. However, its postoperative rehabilitation has always been a hot topic of research. The basic goal of rehabilitation is to protect tendons, promote their healing, prevent shoulder stiffness and muscle atrophy.

In recent years, there have been clinical studies on the application of ESWT in arthroscopic postoperative patients, but its efficacy is still different . However, few clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of ESWT on functional recovery, tendon recovery and MRI imaging after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In addition, currently, the application of shock wave technology in the treatment of patients after rotator cuff surgery is very confusing, and there is no clear optimal treatment plan.

In conclusion, the purpose of this study is to compare the difference in efficacy of postoperative rehabilitation programs of different ESWT combined with conventional rehabilitation training on patients after rotator cuff repair, the impact of ESWT on clinical efficacy of patients after rotator cuff repair, and to explore the application of shock wave technology for accurate diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

1. A rotator cuff tear was diagnosed and surgery was required
2. Able to complete cardiopulmonary exercise tests
3. Able to cooperate with rehabilitation training and complete questionnaire survey

Exclusion Criteria：

1. Age <17 years or age >75 years
2. Previous shoulder surgery history
3. Irreparable rotator cuff damage