The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether the intervention can improve the clinical outcome and patient satisfaction in elective reconstructive shoulder surgeries. The study participants are adults with a diagnosed rotator cuff tear for which surgical treatment is planned. This main question is to be answered by the study:
• Does prehabilitation before elective shoulder surgeries lead to an improvement in postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction compared to the control group?
The control group receives standard information about the hospital stay, while the intervention group undergoes the prehabilitation program in the approximately 6 weeks prior to surgery. This program includes:
* Information on the condition and pain management * Recommendations for behavior modification * A home exercise program Primary endpoint is the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC). The assessments are conducted at four time points: at study enrollment, immediately before surgery, and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.
Patients with a traumatic or degenerative rupture of the rotator cuff with whom surgical treatment has been discussed in the shoulder clinic.
Pre-existing fracture of the upper arm or shoulder girdle, rheumatic arthritis/fibromyalgia, additional findings in the shoulder joint (instability, frozen shoulder), neurological disease, cognitive or speech impairment
Prof. Arasch Wafaisade
Lead sponsor
University of Witten/Herdecke
Sponsor institution