Study Comparing Patient Function and Satisfaction With Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression Before and After Repair of Complete Rotator Cuff Tears
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01430598 |
Recruitment Status
: Unknown
Verified September 2011 by Lauren Suchy, Genesys Regional Medical Center.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted
: September 8, 2011
Last Update Posted
: September 8, 2011
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Rotator Cuff Tear Acromial Spur | Procedure: Rotator Cuff Repair and Subacromial Decompression Other: Questionnaire | Not Applicable |
All patients with a diagnosed full thickness rotator cuff tear and symptomatic subacromial decompression will be consulted about arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair. The possible risks and benefits will be discussed with the patient in detail by the operating surgeon. If a patient agrees to undergo surgical intervention (i.e. arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repair in the same surgical setting), they will be approached and informed regarding involvement in the study. This is a single blind study so participants will not know into which arm they have been randomized.
Once consented, the subject will be randomized into one of two treatment arms. Those in Arm A will have subacromial decompression before repair of a complete rotator cuff and those in Arm B will have subacromial decompression after repair of a complete rotator cuff.
Prior to surgical intervention all patients will complete two separate questionnaires in the waiting room. The results of the questionnaires will be later used to compare pre-operative and post-operative changes following shoulder surgery.
On the date of surgery, the operative surgeon will ensure a full-thickness rotator cuff tear is present with an associated acromial spur. If both are present, the operative surgeon will perform the surgical intervention in the previously assigned order according to the patient's treatment arm. All acromial spurs will be burred to a level flush with the remaining non-pathologic acromion. The full-thickness rotator cuff will be repaired utilizing sutures and suture anchors. The specific pattern of repair will be determined intra-operatively. This is standard procedure for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression. There is no known risks within the orthopedic literature with performing subacromial decompression before versus after rotator cuff repair. As such, this study aims to identify any significance of the order of surgery if it exists.
Post-operatively all patients will be placed within a Berg SlingShot®. All patients will undergo a period of immobilization within the sling. Patients will be evaluated at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-operatively. The shoulder range of motion and relative strength, compared to the contralateral limb, will be assessed. They will be prescribed formal physical therapy in the outpatient setting. At the 12 week visit each subject will complete the questionnaires once again. The scores will be tabulated and inserted in the Excel spreadsheet.
The pre-operative and post-operative scores will be compared. The change in score from each treatment arm will be averaged and analyzed for statistically significant difference. Also, the pre- and post-operative forward flexion, abduction range of motion will be compared. The external and internal rotation strengths will be compared from the pre- and post-operative evaluations.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 100 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Participant) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Randomized Single Blinded Study Comparing Patient Function and Satisfaction With Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression Before and After Repair of Complete Rotator Cuff Tears |
Study Start Date : | August 2011 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | August 2012 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | August 2012 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: A
Subacromial decompression before repair of a complete rotator cuff tear.
|
Procedure: Rotator Cuff Repair and Subacromial Decompression
Arthroscopic decompression and rotator cuff repair will be completed during the same surgical date.
Other: Questionnaire
Patients will be asked to complete two separate questionnaires prior to the surgical intervention. Patients will be asked to complete the same two questionnaires at 12 weeks post surgery.
|
Active Comparator: B
Subacromial decompression after repair of a complete rotator cuff repair.
|
Procedure: Rotator Cuff Repair and Subacromial Decompression
Arthroscopic decompression and rotator cuff repair will be completed during the same surgical date.
Other: Questionnaire
Patients will be asked to complete two separate questionnaires prior to the surgical intervention. Patients will be asked to complete the same two questionnaires at 12 weeks post surgery.
|
- Pre and Post Surgery Pain and Satisfaction [ Time Frame: 1 year ]Both arms will complete an identical baseline and post-operative pain and functionality survey. The data will be analyzed to determine the rate of change between the pre and post surgery results. The results from the two groups will be compared to determine if there is a significant difference in pain and functionality between subjects in Arm A and Arm B.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18-65
- Symptomatic patients with MRI positive full thickness rotator cuff tears
- Clinically and/or radiographically positive subacromial impingement/spur with associated rotator cuff tendonitis and bursitis
- Patients who have failed outpatient conservative therapy, including, but not limited to physical therapy and subacromial injection with steroid and local anesthetic
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient with radiographic evidence of glenohumeral degenerative joint disease or rotator cuff arthropathy
- Patients with a prior history of joint sepsis
- Patients who have had previous shoulder surgery on the anticipated operative limb
- Patients with a diagnosed pathology causing associated pain and/or weakness to the anticipated operative limb
- Patient deemed unable to complete the post-operative rehabilitation protocol
- Patients diagnosed, either intra-operatively or by MRI, as having irreparable rotator cuff tears

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): NCT01430598
Contact: Stephen Nystrom, DO | 810-606-5000 | stephen.nystrom@genesys.org | |
Contact: Lauren E Suchy, MPA | 810-606-7878 | lauren.suchy@genesys.org |
United States, Michigan | |
Genesys Regional Medical Center-General Surgery Center | Recruiting |
Grand Blanc, Michigan, United States, 48439 | |
Contact: Stephen Nystrom, DO 810-606-5000 | |
Principal Investigator: Stephen Nystrom, DO | |
Greater Flint Sports Medicine | Recruiting |
Grand Blanc, Michigan, United States, 48439 | |
Contact: Stephen Nystrom, DO 810-606-5000 stephen.nystrom@genesys.org | |
Principal Investigator: Stephen Nystrom, DO |
Responsible Party: | Lauren Suchy, Academic Research Coordinator, Genesys Regional Medical Center |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01430598 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
ME 11 0021 |
First Posted: | September 8, 2011 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | September 8, 2011 |
Last Verified: | September 2011 |
Keywords provided by Lauren Suchy, Genesys Regional Medical Center:
Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear and Acromial Spur |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Rotator Cuff Injuries Rupture Wounds and Injuries Shoulder Injuries Tendon Injuries |