7 New Research Findings Every DC Needs to Know About Rotator Cuff Injuries
Over 1,500 new studies on rotator cuff tendinopathies have been published in the past year alone, including 135 systematic reviews. While you likely didn’t have time to read them all, your ChiroUp team did the work for you!
We’ve distilled the most important research findings from the past year, ensuring you have the most up-to-date knowledge to diagnose and treat rotator cuff issues. From risk factors to resolution, these insights will help you claim your rightful position as the go-to provider for rotator cuff tendinopathy.
1. Rotator Cuff Risk Factors
Research has uncovered several key risk factors for rotator cuff injuries, most of which are tied to conditions that hinder the tendon’s vascular supply, setting the stage for degeneration and tears.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy risk factors:
Age: Rotator cuff degeneration is closely tied to aging, with tears becoming increasingly prevalent and severe in older populations. This progression is attributed to muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and reduced vascular supply over time (1).
Obesity: Excess body weight is strongly linked to both the occurrence and severity of RCD. Individuals with obesity are 1.4 times more likely to have a rotator cuff tear compared to those without, with every 5-unit increase in BMI raising the odds by 35%. (2) Furthermore, obesity leads to worse post-surgical outcomes, including greater pain, diminished shoulder function, and higher rates of complications and readmissions. (3,4)
Smoking, Hypertension, and Other Microcirculation Factors: Peripheral microcirculation issues, including those caused by smoking, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia, play a significant role in rotator cuff pathology. Studies show that 63% of patients with rotator cuff tears had either smoked or had at least one condition affecting microcirculation. And tear severity escalates with the presence of these risk factors. (5)
Steroid injections: Designed to decrease the body’s natural inflammatory response, corticosteroid injections can negatively impact outcomes, even increasing the risk of revision rotator cuff surgery by 47%. (6)
Occupational Strain: Certain occupational activities significantly increase the risk of rotator cuff injuries, with overhead tasks and repetitive movements more than doubling the likelihood of injury. (7)
2. Top Rotator Cuff Injury Test
The accuracy of diagnostic tests for rotator cuff injuries varies, but a BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders systematic review quantified the reliability of several common assessments. Among these, the External Rotation Lag Sign (performed at 90 degrees of shoulder abduction) proved the most reliable rotator cuff injury test. (8) Here are the rotator cuff tests with the highest diagnostic odds ratio (DOR):
External Rotation Lag Sign at 90 degrees
Internal Rotation Lag Sign
Jobe/Empty Can Test
Don't forget the DIME Test for Rotator Cuff Tears
Notably, the authors of the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders did not evaluate the newer DIME test, which boasts a significantly higher diagnostic odds ratio than the other tests discussed. Learn more about the DIME test for rotator cuff injury in this prior blog.
Research In Action: Check out this shoulder exam tutorial for a complete step-by-step guide.
If you want an even deeper dive, navigate to the home of the top chiropractic webinar and watch our advanced tutorial on When it’s Not the Rotator Cuff, detailing the assessment and treatment of four commonly overlooked shoulder problems.
3. Manual Therapy Enhances Outcomes
Multiple studies in prior years underscored the effectiveness of spinal manipulation and manual therapy as a cornerstone treatment for rotator cuff tendinopathy. (9-11) This year's research again confirms that a multimodal approach—including exercise, manual therapy, and other targeted treatments—delivers the best outcomes for pain relief and functional improvement.
“Combining [manual therapy] with exercise had significant advantages over exercise alone, as combined therapy contributed to both pain reduction and functional enhancement” (12)
Techniques like Mobilization with Movement (MWM) are particularly effective in improving range of motion and reducing pain (13).
Our review of 2024 Top Chiropractic Research highlighted several new studies showing nerve mobilization improves outcomes for various extremity complaints, ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to lateral epicondylopathy. While our review did not find any 2024 papers discussing the effect of neurodynamic techniques for rotator cuff pathology, we would be remiss not to mention it at least. Check out this prior tutorial video for a refresher.
Research In Action: Want video tutorials for all of the top rotator cuff treatments, rotator cuff tests, and rotator cuff exercises? Subscribers can review the entire best practice protocol for rotator cuff tendinopathy (and more than 175 other MSK diagnoses) from their ChiroUp condition reference database.
4. Rotator Cuff Exercises Are Essential, but the Best Type Remains Debated
“Uncertainty underpins much of the theory and practice of delivering exercise therapy for individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Nonetheless, we contend that providing exercise therapy should remain a principal treatment option.” (14).
Prior research underscores the importance of progressive muscular loading and eccentric exercises for improving strength and recovery. Motor control programs have shown merit over nonspecific exercise regimens. (15) Patient-specific and gradual exercise progression is key for optimal outcomes.
Research In Action: While the perfect formula for rotator cuff tear exercises remains debatable, research has established key components for success. Subscribers can confidently prescribe these evidence-based programs and easily customize protocols to include their top exercises for rotator cuff, then deliver that information in four clicks.
5. Shockwave Shows Promise
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a viable option for managing rotator cuff tendinopathy, with growing evidence supporting its use. It has been shown to reduce pain and improve function with low adverse event rates. (16-18)
“This study suggests that ESWT can be a highly effective therapy option for relieving pain in people with tendinopathy. Additionally, in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy, the SMD for pain reduction was 2.37 units.” (17)
6. Mental Health Affects Outcomes
Psychological factors are associated with the occurrence of shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff issues. (19) And psychological health significantly influences recovery from rotator cuff injuries. Patients with psychological impairments report higher pain levels and slower healing rates (20).
Research In Action: Subscribers can explore our "Rethinking Chronic Pain" and "Mind-Body Best Practices" infographics in the Forms Library for actionable insights on managing pain through a positive mental outlook.
7. Emerging Regenerative Therapies
While most chiropractors primarily focus on non-injectable care, understanding regenerative therapies can help provide patients with informed recommendations or guidance for surgical recovery. Recent research highlights the potential of these treatments to enhance tendon healing and reduce failure rates following rotator cuff repair.
Prolotherapy: This injection-based treatment stimulates the body’s natural healing response by introducing a mild irritant, like dextrose, to strengthen ligaments and tendons, showing positive results in managing tendinopathy (21,22)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP, derived from the patient’s own blood, is rich in platelets and growth factors that regenerate tendon-to-bone microarchitecture. Studies indicate it reduces the likelihood of retears and improves outcomes when used intraoperatively (23-27)
Stem Cell Therapy: Adipose-derived and mesenchymal stem cells show promise in reducing muscle fatty degeneration in massive tears. (28)
Conclusion
Perhaps Bedi et al. provided the year’s best summary concerning rotator cuff pathology:
“Rotator cuff tears are the most common upper extremity condition seen by primary care…with a spectrum ranging from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears. Some tears are traumatic, but most rotator cuff problems are degenerative. Not all tears are symptomatic and not all progress, and many patients in whom tears become more extensive do not experience symptom worsening. Rotator cuff tears begin as degenerative changes within the tendon, with matrix disorganization and inflammatory changes. Subsequently, tears progress to partial-thickness and then full-thickness tears. Treatment depends primarily on symptoms, with non-operative management sufficient for most patients with rotator cuff problems.” (29)
There you have it! The latest research continues to validate the principles and practices we use daily in our offices. By staying aligned with current evidence and leveraging these insights, we solidify our role as top-tier providers for managing rotator cuff pathologies. By embracing cutting-edge knowledge and delivering exceptional care, we will become the undeniable best choice for patients and payors.
Research In Action: Now share the news with your patients and social media followers via this updated ChiroUp rotator cuff infographic and explainer video.
ChiroUp is the leading online platform for evidence-based chiropractic. Together, we are elevating and uniting the chiropractic profession.
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4. Sandler AB, Green CK, Scanaliato JP, Fares AB, Dunn JC, Parnes N. The Influence of Obesity on Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 118,331 Patients Internationally. JBJS Open Access. 2024 Apr 1;9(2):e23. Link
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