Comparison of nonsurgical treatment approaches for partial rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Rotator cuff disease constitutes the most common cause of shoulder pain, accounting for up to 70% of shoulder-related complaints, with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs) representing a substantial proportion. Although nonsurgical interventions are generally recommended as first-line treatment, there is currently no consensus on the optimal nonsurgical management of symptomatic PT-RCTs. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of different nonsurgical treatment modalities for PT-RCTs, specifically comparing physical therapy (PT) and injection therapies. Methods A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Eligible studies on nonsurgical interventions for PT-RCTs in adults (≥18a) were included. Clinical outcomes (Constant Score (CS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and visual analog scale were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis and descriptive statistics to outline study characteristics. Results From 9,894 records screened, 22 studies with 1,137 patients were included. PT was statistically superior to injection therapy in the CS ( P = .0001). Among injections, cell-based th

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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