Physical Therapy or Surgery for shoulder: You Decide

Physical therapist-led exercises show equal effectiveness compared with surgery in the long term in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, say authors of a systematic review published in the October 2009 issue (Vol 41 Issue 11) of the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Related Links

ARTICLE ABSTRACT

Jan 20, 2010 1:22 AM - Research trials were searched electronically and manually from 1966 to December 2007. Study quality was independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.

16 studies were included. Many different diagnostic criteria for shoulder impingement syndrome were applied. Physical therapist-led exercises and surgery were equally effective treatments for shoulder impingement syndrome in the long term. Adding manual therapy to exercise programs may have an additional benefit on pain at 3 weeks follow-up.

In general, the authors say, the samples were small and different diagnostic criteria were applied, which makes a firm conclusion difficult. More high-quality trials with longer follow-ups are recommended.