Dataset Information

Rehabilitation Protocols for Superior Capsular Reconstruction Are Variable: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To screen manuscripts that discuss rehabilitation protocols for patients who underwent superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) to elucidate whether a standard rehabilitation algorithm exists for SCR.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (i.e., PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed (MEDLINE) and Embase were searched using pertinent Boolean operation terms "superior capsular reconstruction" and "rotator cuff repair rehabilitation," and articles that included rehabilitation protocols following superior capsular reconstruction surgery were reviewed. Two independent reviewers performed the search and quality assessment.

Results

A total of 549 articles were yielded after our database search. Fourteen studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Study designs included 9 editorials, 3 case series, and 2 case reports. Each study included in this review used a unique rehabilitation algorithm that posed significant variability between the protocols. Four phases were identified to summarize each protocol and were used as a basis of discussion-sling versus brace time (3-6 weeks for comfort/removal vs complete immobilization), passive range of motion (immediately after surgery to initiation at 6 weeks), active range of motion (4-8 weeks), and strengthening/return to full activity (12-52 weeks). Initiation of rehabilitation, length of time spent in each phase, types of exercises, and overarching goals for return to function were significantly variable and were decided upon by the surgeon based on current massive rotator cuff repair protocols. Presently, there is no standard rehabilitation protocol for SCR.

Conclusions

SCR is a relatively new procedure that is gaining rapid popularity with promising outcomes. Based on our review, there is no standard rehabilitation protocol in place; thus, it is not possible to recommend an evidence-based rehabilitation protocol following SCR at this time.

Level of evidence

Level V, systematic review of Level IV and V studies.

SUBMITTER: Lavin AC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8220571 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:PurposeWe systematically reviewed the literature to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes and retear rates of superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using fascia lata autograft (FLA) versus human dermal allograft (HDA) in cases of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.MethodsSearches of Pub Med and Cochrane Library identified clinical studies addressing SCR using FLA and HDA. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts and full texts to extract data from eligible studies. Reported outcome measures were descriptively analyzed.ResultsA total of 6 studies with 2 study groups satisfied the inclusion criteria. The number of shoulders in the HDA group was 155, and in the FLA group, the number was 140 shoulders. The mean age at time of surgery for the HDA group and the FLA group was 60.49 years and 65.8 years, respectively, and the mean follow-up was 15.2 months and 44.6 months, respectively. Active elevation improved from of 121°-130° to 158°-160° in the HDA group and from 74.8°-133° to 130.4°-146° in the FLA group. Active external rotation improved from 36°-45° in the HDA group and from 13°-28° to 30°-43° in the FLA group. The Visual Analog Scale for pain improved from 4-6.25 to 0.38-1.7 points in the HDA group, whereas in the FLA group, it improved from 6-2.5 points. In the HDA group, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores improved from 42-52 to 77.5-86.5, whereas in the FLA group scores improved from 35-54.4 to 73.7-94.3. The acromiohumeral distance improved in both groups. The retear rate was 3.4%-55% in the HDA group and 4.5%-29% % in the FLA group.ConclusionsArthroscopic SCR for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears using both fascia lata allograft and human dermal allograft leads to improvement in clinical outcomes and radiologic outcomes. There is a lower retear rate in fascia lata allografts. The current literature is heterogeneous and has low levels of evidence.Level of evidenceLevel IV, systematic review of level IV studies.

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