UnknownNot Applicable

Workers Compensation Board: Rotator Cuff Tear Management

Canada144 participantsStarted 2012-01

Plain-language summary

The overall goal of this proposed randomized study is to determine if surgery at the time of diagnosis or rehabilitation +/- surgery (i.e. surgery only when rehabilitation fails) results in shorter times to claim closure. The study will examine how often non-operative management is successful in resolving symptoms and allowing subjects to return to work without surgery. The investigators will also examine if there are subject, tear or work-related characteristics that affect the outcome of rehabilitation or expedited surgery and predict whether patients should be referred to operative or non-operative management at time of assessment. At study completion, the investigators expect to be able to definitively state the best management for subjects with these less serious RC tears. The specific research questions to be addressed are as follows: 1. In WCB subjects with high grade partial thickness (\>50%) or small full thickness (≤ 1 cm.) rotator cuff tears, how does non-operative management (i.e. rehabilitation) or expedited surgery affect time to claim closure? 2. Are there subject, tear or work-related characteristics that affect which patient management approach will be most effective and efficient?

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient is over 18 years of age * Patient has an active WCB Claim * Patient has a high-grade (\>50%) partial-thickness or small (\<1cm) full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus, as confirmed by appropriate diagnostic imaging (MRI, Arthrogram, Ultrasound) Exclusion Criteria: * Patient has a full-thickness tear of the subscapularis and/or teres minor * Patient has a low-grade (\<50%) partial-thickness tear of the supraspinatus/infraspinatus * Patient has a moderate to large (\>1cm) full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus/infraspinatus * Patient has undergone previous RC surgery to the affected shoulder * Patient has major joint trauma, infection, or avascular necrosis * Patient has chronic dislocation, inflammation, or degenerative glenohumeral arthropathy * Patient has evidence of significant cuff arthropathy (superior glenohumeral translation and/or acromial erosion, as diagnosed by diagnostic imaging) * Patient has a psychiatric illness, cognitive impairment, or other health condition (i.e. visual impairment) which precludes informed consent or renders the patient unable to complete study questionnaires * Patient has a major medical illness where life expectancy is less than 2 years * Patient does not speak/read/understand English * Patient has no fixed address or means of contact * Patient unwilling to complete necessary follow-ups

What they're measuring

Time to return to final work status

Timeframe: Participations followed for duration of the study, up to 1 year, until they fully return to work

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01498198

SponsorUniversity of Manitoba

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2014-01

Contact for this trial

Jeff Leiter, PhD

204-927-2665 jleiter@panamclinic.com