Surgery for Common Shoulder Problems

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of early patient-directed rehabilitation versus standard rehabilitation after surgical repair of the rotator cuff of the shoulder: a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial with integrated Quintet Recruitment Intervention (RaCeR 2)

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

Rehabilitation after surgery, a critical part of recovery, has not changed for over 20 years. Currently, most patients are advised to use a shoulder sling after surgery for one month. However, this approach could prevent patients from getting the best results from surgery. A pilot study for this research suggested that if patients start to move their shoulder after surgery, as soon they feel able, with support from a physiotherapist, they will have less shoulder pain and disability, less time off from driving and work, and fewer tendon re-tears. The team now wants to see if these findings can be confirmed in this larger study.

Reverse or Anatomical (replacement) for Painful Shoulder Osteoarthritis: Differences between Interventions. Acronym; RAPSODI

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

This research aims to find the best type of joint replacement for the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the shoulder.

Partial Rotator Cuff Tear Repair Trial (PRO CURE Trial)

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

Rotator cuff tears are tendon tears in the shoulder that cause pain, weakness and loss of movement. People affected have problems with day to day activities, work, recreation and sleep. These tears can be full tears through the whole tendon or only part way through - a partial tear. Partial tears are treated in the NHS first with physiotherapy and a steroid injection. Patients who do not get better with these treatments may then choose to have surgery. The aim of this study is to assess if surgical repair of partial tears, in patients with persistent pain despite physiotherapy, is effective. The study is important because, even though rotator cuff problems are the most common cause of shoulder pain and disability, it remains unknown how best to treat them and whether surgery has any extra value.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty versus Hemiarthroplasty versus Non-surgical care for acute 3 and 4 part fractures of the proximal humerus in older adults - The PROFHER-2 Randomised Clinical Trial

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

Breaking (fracturing) the upper part of the arm at the shoulder (proximal humerus) most commonly occurs in people over 65 years old after a simple fall. Fractures are considered more serious & complex when the bone is broken into more than 2 parts or are widely separated This study will assess which is the most effective treatment for these more severe fractures.