Does a brace influence clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

The goal of this study was to report the clinical effects of two different braces after rotator cuff repair.

Forty patients who underwent an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively allocated in this study. Twenty patients were immobilized in 15° external rotation brace (ER Group), and twenty were immobilised in an internal rotation sling (IR Group). For all patients, four surveys were done: in the immediate pre-operative period (T0), at 1 month (T1), at 3 months (T2) and at 6 months after surgery (T3). Range of motion and pain were evaluated by an independent physician. Self-Assessment Scales [(University California Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA), Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Physician Assessment Scale (Constant)] were also administered.

Abduction and ER2 (external rotation with arm in abduction) were significantly greater in the ER group at T1, T2 and T3, ER1 (external rotation with arm at side) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1 and T2, IR2 (internal rotation) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1, and FFL (forward flexion) was significantly greater in the ER group at T1. VAS was significantly lower in the ER group at T1 and T2 and T3. About the Self-Assessment Shoulder Scales after 3 and 6 months, no differences were found. SST showed a lesser functional limitation for the ER group at T3.

Patients operated with isolated superior or posterosuperior rotator cuff tear immobilised with brace in 15° of ER position showed less pain and a better passive range of motion at short time after surgery.