RC Impactful Statements
The following impactful statements are based on Optimizing the Management of Rotator Cuff Problems Clinical Practice Guideline.
- Symptomatic patients with rotator cuff related symptoms and the absence of a full thickness tear should be initially treated non-operatively using exercise and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Physicians may consider discussing Worker’s Compensation status with the patient and care team prior to rotator cuff repair because surgical outcomes may be negatively affected by the status of the claim.
- Routine acromioplasty is not required at the time of rotator cuff repair.
- Non-crosslinked, porcine small intestine submucosal xenograft patches should not be used to treat patients with rotator cuff tears.
The following recommendation is the basis of the statements above.
- We suggest that patients who have rotator cuff-related symptoms in the absence of a full thickness tear be initially treated non-operatively using exercise and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- It is an option for physicians to advise patients that the following factor correlates with less favorable outcomes after rotator cuff surgery: Worker’s Compensation Status.
- We suggest that routine acromioplasty is not required at the time of rotator cuff repair.
- We suggest surgeons not use a non-crosslinked, porcine small intestine submucosal xenograft patch to treat patients with rotator cuff tears.