Application of multidisciplinary team-based integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in rotator cuff injury patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery

BACKGROUND Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a common surgical treatment for rotator cuff injuries(RCIs).Although this procedure has certain clinical advantages,it requires rehabilitation management interventions to ensure therapeutic efficacy.AIM To investigate the effect of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine(TCM-WM)under the multidisciplinary team(MDT)model on the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for RCIs.METHODS This study enrolled 100 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for RCIs at the Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2021 and May 2024.They were divided into a control group(n=48)that received routine rehabilitation treatment and an experimental group(n=52)that received TCM-WM under the MDT model(e.g.,acupuncture,TCM traumatology and orthopedics,and rehabilitation).The results of the Constant–Murley Shoulder Score(CMS),Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI),muscular strength evaluation,and shoulder range of motion(ROM)assessments were analyzed.RESULTS After treatment,the experimental group showed significantly higher CMS scores in terms of pain,functional activity,shoulder joint mobility,and muscular strength than the baseline and those of the control group.The experimental group also exhibited significantly lower VAS and SPADI scores than the baseline and those of the control group.In addition,the experimental group showed significantly enhanced muscular strength(forward flexor and external and internal rotator muscles)and shoulder ROM(forward flexion,abduction,and lateral abduction)after treatment compared with the control group.CONCLUSION TCM-WM under the MDT model improved shoulder joint function,relieved postoperative pain,promoted postoperative functional recovery,and facilitated the recovery of muscular strength and shoulder ROM in patients with RCIs who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Effect of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff injuries

BACKGROUND The rotator cuff is located below the acromion and deltoid muscles and comprises multiple tendons that wrap around the humeral head,maintaining shoulder joint stability.AIM To explore the effect of electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques on shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff injuries.METHODS We selected 97 patients with rotator cuff injuries treated in the People's Hospital of Yuhuan from February 2020 to May 2023.Patients were grouped using the envelope method.RESULTS After treatment,the study group’s treatment effective rate was 94.90%(46/49 patients),significantly higher than that in the control group(79.17%,38/48 cases;P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no difference in Constant Murley Score(CMS)scores,shoulder mobility,or 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)scale scores(P>0.05).Compared with those before treatment,the CMS scores(including pain,daily living ability,shoulder mobility,and muscle strength),all aspects of shoulder mobility(forward flexion,posterior extension,external rotation,internal rotation),and SF-36 scale scores(including physiological,psychological,emotional,physical,vitality,and health status)were higher in both groups after treatment and significantly higher in the study group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the occurrence of complications between the two treatment groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation techniques has a good treatment effect on patients with rotator cuff injuries,helps accelerate the recovery of shoulder function,improves the quality of life,and is highly safe.

Comparing shoulder maneuvers to magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic findings in patients with supraspinatus tears

BACKGROUND Shoulder maneuvers and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)are performed to diagnose supraspinatus tendon tears regardless of arthroscopy exam.Although there are many studies on this subject,there is a lack of studies comparing the sensitivity(Se)and specificity(Sp)of shoulder maneuvers and MRI to arthroscopic findings(intact,partial,or full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear).AIM To compare the diagnostic values of shoulder maneuvers with MRI for supraspinatus tendon tears in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.METHODS A total of 199 consecutive patients from four orthopedic centers met the eligibility criteria of shoulder pain persisting for at least four weeks.They were prospectively enrolled in this study from April 2017 to April 2019.Seven clinical tests(full can,empty can,drop arm,Hawkins’,painful arc,Neer’s sign and resisted external rotation)and MRI were performed,and all were compared with surgical findings.Full can,empty can and resisted external rotation tests were interpreted as positive in the case of pain and/or weakness.We assessed the Se,Sp,accuracy,positive predictive value(PPV)and negative predictive value(NPV),positive and negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio for overall,partial and fullthickness supraspinatus tears.RESULTS MRI had the highest Se for overall(0.97),partial(0.91)and full-thickness(0.99)tears;moreover,MRI had the highest NPV:0.90,0.88 and 0.98 for overall,partial and full-thickness tears,respectively.For overall supraspinatus tears,the Se and PPV were:Painful arc(Se=0.85/PPV=0.91),empty can(pain)(Se=0.80/PPV=0.89),full can(pain)(Se=0.78/PPV=0.90),resisted external rotation(pain)(Se=0.48/PPV=0.87),drop arm(Se=0.19/PPV=0.97),Neer’s sign(Se=0.78/PPV=0.93)and Hawkins’(Se=0.80/PPV=0.88).MRI had the highest PPV(0.99).The Hawkin’s test had the highest false positive rate in patients with intact tendons(0.36).The Sp of the empty can and full can(both tests positive for pain and weakness),drop arm and MRI were:0.93,0.91,0.98 and 0.96,respectively.For partial and full-thickness tears,the empty can test(positive for pain and weakness)had a Sp of 0.93,and the drop arm and MRI had the same Sp(0.98).CONCLUSION Physical examination demonstrated good diagnostic value,the drop arm test had a Sp as good as MRI for supraspinatus tears;however,MRI was more accurate in ruling out tears.The Hawkins’test had high false-positive findings in patients with intact tendons.