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A Study on the Effectiveness of Preventive Extensive Release of the Rotator Interval and Joint Capsule to Reduce Postoperative Stiffness in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

A Study on the Effectiveness of Preventive Extensive Release of the Rotator Interval and Joint Capsule to Reduce Postoperative Stiffness in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07311616
Enrollment
50
Registered
2025-12-31
Start date
2025-12-22
Completion date
2027-12-01
Last updated
2025-12-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Supraspinatus Tear

Keywords

Rotator cuff repair, Postoperative stiffness, Joint capsule release, Randomized controlled trial, Range of motion of the shoulder joint

Brief summary

The incidence of rotator cuff injuries is high, especially among the elderly. With the aging of the population, the number of surgical patients has increased significantly. However, in the early stage after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, a considerable proportion of patients are troubled by shoulder joint stiffness, which greatly affects the quality of life and satisfaction of patients after the operation. Despite this, there is still a lack of clear evidence-based medical evidence regarding whether preventive extensive shoulder release and joint capsule release during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can effectively prevent or alleviate postoperative shoulder stiffness. To clarify this clinical issue, this project intends to conduct a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). Before the operation, patients will be randomly divided into two groups under blinding conditions: the experimental group will receive arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery along with preventive extensive shoulder joint release and joint capsule release, while the control group will only receive arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. After the operation, the investigators will conduct follow-up visits for 3 months, 6 months and 12 months for the two groups of patients, and perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the 12th month to assess the healing of the rotator cuff tendons. ASES score, Constant-Murley score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score and active range (ROM) assessment were conducted before the operation and at the follow-up at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the operation. The occurrence of postoperative complications of the patients was counted at the last follow-up. Through this study, the investigators expect to provide scientific and effective guidance for the prevention of postoperative adhesions of the shoulder joint.

Interventions

PROCEDUREProphylactic extensive shoulder release and capsular release

Before rotator cuff repair, extensive release of the rotator cuff space is performed first, as well as comprehensive release of the middle glenohumeral ligament, inferior glenohumeral ligament, coracohumeral ligament, the area around the subscapularis tendon, the subacromial capsule, and the anterior and posterior inferior joint capsules.

PROCEDUREArthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery

Sponsors

Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Medium to small-sized (tear size \<3 cm) full-thickness supraspinatus muscle tears 2. There was no shoulder joint stiffness before the operation. The range of motion of the joint was at least 160° for passive forward flexion under ROM anesthesia, 60° for external rotation when abduction was 0°, and equal to or greater than 60° for passive internal rotation at the level of the 10th thoracic vertebra 3. About to undergo ARCR 4. No history of trauma 5. Patient consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

1. There was a history of previous surgery on the ipsilateral shoulder 2. Other injuries or lesions of the ipsilateral shoulder (such as glenohumeral arthritis, combined acromioclavicular joint dislocation, brachial plexus injury, etc.) 3. It can not be completely repaired or even repaired during operation 4. Have uncontrolled epilepsy or psychological illness 5. Patients who were assessed as not suitable for inclusion in the study group

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Shoulder Pain and Daily Functional Evaluation Measured By American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES Questionnaire)At baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation.This outcome measure will be assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), a disease-specific patient-reported outcome questionnaire. The scale consists of two key dimensions: pain (50 points, measured by Visual Analog Scale) and daily living functions (50 points, evaluating 10 activities including dressing, combing hair, and using the toilet). The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better shoulder function and less pain.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Shoulder Function Measured By Constant-Murley ScoreAt baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation.The Constant - Murley Score is a validated scale developed in 1986 for evaluating shoulder joint function, consisting of four assessment dimensions. It includes pain level (15 points), daily living activities (20 points), shoulder range of motion (40 points), and muscle strength (25 points), with a total score of 0 - 100. A higher score indicates better shoulder joint function. The subjective parts (pain and daily living activities) are completed by subjects themselves, while the objective parts (range of motion and muscle strength) are evaluated and recorded by researchers.
Patient-Reported Shoulder Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analogue Scale (0-10 Scale)At Basline, 1 day after the operation, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the operationThis outcome measure evaluates the intensity of shoulder pain in patients with supraspinatus muscle tear. A 100mmVAS ruler is used as the measurement tool (0mm= no pain, 100mm= extreme pain) to measure the intensity of shoulder pain in participants at baseline, 1 day after operation, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of follow-up. Record the changes in VAS scores from baseline to each time point to reflect the intervention effect.The Visual Analogue Scale ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 10, and the higher the score, the worse the result.
Range of Motion (ROM)At baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operationPostural photos were taken to measure the Angle of joint movement
Rate of Postoperative ComplicationsAt 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the operation.Inquire about the medical history to identify postoperative complications in paticipants.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactYiming Zhu
zhu_yiming@hotmail.com86-13693245245

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026