Conservative or Operative Treatment for the Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00349648 |
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified July 2006 by Kanta-Häme Central Hospital.
Recruitment status was: Active, not recruiting
First Posted : July 7, 2006
Last Update Posted : July 7, 2006
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Study hypothesis: The impingement syndrome of the rotator cuff is a common cause of shoulder pain for which the most effective treatment is unknown. Steroid injections and anti-inflammatory analgetics are considered as effective methods. Physiotherapy and acromioplasty are commonly used treatments.
Hypothesis: Arthroscopy and acromioplasty in addition to conservative treatment is equally effective as conservative treatment alone for shoulder impingement syndrome.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome | Procedure: acromioplasty | Not Applicable |
The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of arthroscopic acromioplasty in the treatment of the shoulder impingement syndrome. Nonoperative treatment consisted of information given by a trained physiotherapist. The patients were supervised with a progressive programme to improve the mobility and muscle strength of the shoulder region which was regularly controlled. The exercises aimed at strengthening the stabilising muscles of the glenohumeral joint (m. trapezius, m. deltoides, m. supraspinatus and m. infraspinatus) and activating the decompressive muscles of the the subacromial space (m. teres major and minor, m. subscapularis). The programme lasted for three months. In addition the patients were given advice for daily home exercise.
In the surgical group the patients underwent an arthroscopic examination and acromioplasty done by one experienced orthopaedic specialist. Postoperatively the patients received similar physiotherapeutical information and training programme than in the conservative treatment group.
The follow-up evaluations were performed at 3, 6 and 12 months from the beginning of each treatment in addition at 24 months counted from the randomization. A trained research physiotherapist who was blinded to the treatment group and had not been involved in their treatment performed a standardized assessment of all patients. The range of motion, muscle strengths and Neer´s tests were recorded. At each evaluation the patients completed a structured questionnaire.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Enrollment : | 140 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Conservative or Operative Treatment for the Shoulder Impingement Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial of 140 Patients Followed Up for Two Years. |
Study Start Date : | March 2001 |
Study Completion Date : | July 2006 |
- shoulder pain in visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0-10 at two years after randomization
- pain at night
- disability
- ability to work
- ranges of motion
- cost-effectiveness

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 60 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- a positive clinical Neer's test
- shoulder pain resistant to rest
- shoulder pain resistant to anti-inflammatory drugs
- shoulder pain resistant to subacromial steroid injections
- shoulder pain resistant to ordinary physiotherapy with a minimum history of three months
Exclusion Criteria:
- glenohumeral or acromioclavicular arthritis
- glenohumeral instability
- total rupture of the rotator cuff
- cervical syndrome
- adhesive capsulitis
- neuropathy of the shoulder region

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00349648
Finland | |
Kanta-Häme Central Hospital | |
Hämeenlinna, Finland, 13530 |
Principal Investigator: | Saara Ketola | Kanta-Häme Central Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00349648 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
IMP-E9/2001-140 |
First Posted: | July 7, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | July 7, 2006 |
Last Verified: | July 2006 |
subacromial impingement acromioplasty physiotherapy |
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Syndrome Rotator Cuff Injuries Disease Pathologic Processes Rupture |
Wounds and Injuries Shoulder Injuries Tendon Injuries Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases |