Introduction and Objective. Only few studies have investigated the outcome of exercises in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), and furthermore often excluded patients with a severe degree of OA. Several studies including a Cochrane review have suggested the need for trials comparing shoulder arthroplasty to non-surgical treatments. Before initiation of such a trial, the feasibility of progressive shoulder exercises (PSE) in patients, who are eligible for shoulder arthroplasty should be investigated. The aim was to investigate whether 12 weeks of PSE is feasible in patients with OA or CTA eligible for shoulder arthroplasty. Moreover, to report changes in shoulder function and range of motion (ROM) following the exercise program. Materials and Methods. Eighteen patients (11 women, 14 OA), mean age 70 years (range 57–80), performed 12 weeks of PSE with 1 weekly physiotherapist-supervised and 2 weekly home-based sessions. Feasibility was measured by drop-out rate, adverse events, pain and adherence to PSE. Patients completed Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Results. Two patients dropped out and no adverse events were observed. Sixteen patients (89%) had high adherence to the physiotherapist-supervised sessions. Acceptable pain levels were reported. WOOS improved mean 23 points (95%CI:13;33), and DASH improved mean 13 points (95%CI:6;19). Conclusions. PSE is feasible, safe and may improve shoulder pain, function and ROM in patients with OA or CTA eligible for shoulder arthroplasty. PSE is a feasible treatment that may be compared with arthroplasty in a RCT setting

We assessed the predictive value of the macroscopic and detailed microscopic appearance of the coracoacromial ligament, subacromial bursa and rotator-cuff tendon in 20 patients undergoing subacromial decompression for impingement in the absence of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Histologically, all specimens had features of degenerative change and oedema in the extracellular matrix. Inflammatory cells were seen, but there was no evidence of chronic inflammation. However, the outcome was not related to cell counts.

At three months the mean Oxford shoulder score had improved from 29.2 (20 to 40) to 39.4 (28 to 48) (p < 0.0001) and at six months to 45.5 (36 to 48) (p < 0.0001). At six months, although all patients had improved, the seven patients with a hooked acromion had done so to a less extent than those with a flat or curved acromion judged by their mean Oxford shoulder scores of 43.5 and 46.5 respectively (p = 0.046). All five patients with partial-thickness tears were within this group and demonstrated less improvement than the patients with no tear (mean Oxford shoulder scores 43.2 and 46.4, respectively, p = 0.04). These findings imply that in the presence of a partial-thickness tear subacromial decompression may require additional specific treatment to the rotator cuff if the outcome is to be improved further.