Search

Purpose: Shoulder stiffness (SS) is a condition characterised by active and passive restricted glenohumeral range of motion, which can occur spontaneously in an idiopathic manner or be associated with a known underlying aetiology. Several treatment options are available and currently no consensus has been obtained on which treatment algorithm represents the best choice for the patient. Herein we present the results of a national consensus on the treatment of primary SS. Methods: The project followed the modified Delphi consensus process, involving a steering, a rating and a peer‐review group. Sixteen questions were generated and subsequently answered by the steering group after a thorough literature search. A rating group composed by professionals specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pathologies rated the question–answer sets according to the scientific evidence and their clinical experience. Results: Recommendations were rated with an average of 8.4 points out of maximum 9 points. None of the 16 answers received a rating of less than 8 and all the answers were considered as appropriate. The majority of responses were assessed as Grade A, signifying a substantial availability of scientific evidence to guide treatment and support recommendations encompassing diagnostics, physiotherapy, electrophysical agents, oral and injective medical therapies, as well as surgical interventions for primary SS. Conclusions: A consensus regarding the conservative and surgical treatment of primary SS could be achieved at a national level. This consensus sets basis for evidence‐based clinical practice in the management of primary SS and can serve as a model for similar initiatives and adaptable guidelines in other European countries and potentially on a global scale. Level of Evidence: Level I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study aims to adapt the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) to Italian language and establish its reliability and validity in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It was hypnotized the Italian version of the TAS have acceptable psychometric properties for use with the Italian population. Methods. This is an observational multicenter study. The Tegner Activity Scale was translated and culturally adapted according to the Beaton guidelines. A web-based survey was conducted to evaluate the construct validity: 62 patients were included in the study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) between the TAS and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) subscales and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) was used to evaluate construct validity. The patients completed the TAS again one week after their first submission, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was used to calculate the test-retest reliability. Results. The correlation coefficient showed moderate correlation with the SF-36 Physical Function domain (r = 0.41; p = 0.001) and weak correlation with the IKDC (r = 0.3; p = 0.02). Correlations with the other SF-36 subscales were very weak and not statistically significant. Test-retest reliability (0.68, 95%CI 0.43-0.83) ranged from good to excellent. Conclusions. The Italian version of the Tegner Activity Scale is a valid instrument to assess a patient's level of sporting activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Cultural adaptation of this scale is fundamental to make this instrument comparable throughout scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between positive painful forced internal rotation (FIR) and lateral pulley instability in the presence of a pre-diagnosed posterosuperior cuff tear. The same investigation was conducted for painful active internal rotation (AIR)., Methods: a multicenter prospective study was conducted in a series of patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic posterosuperior cuff repair. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) was administered. The VAS score at rest, DASH score, and presence/absence of pain on FIR and AIR were recorded and their relationships with lesions of the lateral pulley, cuff tear patterns and shape of lesions were analyzed., Results: the study population consisted of 115 patients (mean age: 55.1 years) recruited from 12 centers. The dominant arm was affected in 72 cases (62.6%). The average anteroposterior extension of the lesion was 1.61 cm. The mean preoperative VAS and DASH scores were 6.1 and 41.8, respectively. FIR and AIR were positive in 94 (81.7%) and 85 (73.9%) cases, respectively. The lateral pulley was compromised in 50 cases (43.4%). Cuff tears were partial articular in 35 patients (30.4%), complete in 61 (53%), and partial bursal in 19 (16.5%). No statistical correlation between positive FIR or AIR and lateral pulley lesions was detected. Positive FIR and AIR were statistically associated with complete lesions. Negative FIR was associated with the presence of partial articular tears., Conclusions: painful FIR in the presence of a postero-superior cuff tear does not indicate lateral pulley instability. When a cuff tear is suspected, positive FIR and AIR are suggestive of full-thickness tear patterns while a negative FIR suggests a partial articular lesion., Level of Evidence: level I, validating cohort study with good reference standards.