Rehabilitation Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (RTSA)

June 2, 2025 updated by: HealthPartners Institute

Immediate Accelerated Shoulder Rehabilitation Versus a Standard Protocol Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been successful in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy, proximal humerus fractures, failed primary total shoulder arthroplasty or failed hemiarthroplasty, and massive irreparable rotator cuff tear. Patients who undergo an RTSA report pain relief and functional range of motion. It has been more than 20 years since the advent of the RTSA construct but an immediate post-operative rehabilitation with active shoulder range of motion has not been prospectively studied in comparison to the traditional post-operative rehabilitation highlighted by Boudreau et al.12 Investigators plan to prospectively follow our patients following RTSA undergoing an immediate active shoulder rehabilitation (IASR) vs traditional rehabilitation in a randomized controlled fashion. Investigators plan to document clinical outcomes, complications and cost effectiveness out to 1 year.

The study will hopefully fulfill the Triple Aim model for HealthPartners by improving the health of the population, improve the experience of each individual, and make healthcare affordable by decreasing the total cost of care.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
74

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Minnesota
      • Bloomington, Minnesota, United States, 55431
        • Recruiting
        • TRIA Orthopaedic Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Michael Walsh, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

55 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • > 55 years of age.
  • Candidate for a primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
  • Capable of completing self-administered questionnaires.
  • Be willing and able to return for all study-related follow-up procedures.
  • Able and willing to give informed consent.
  • Proficient in the English language.

Exclusion Criteria:

In-Clinic:

  • Patients planning on undergoing a Primary Reverse Shoulder Total Arthroplasty due to proximal humeral fracture.
  • Previous shoulder surgery including previous total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty, or instability repairs
  • Active bacterial infection of the shoulder.
  • Any concomitant shoulder procedure.
  • Additional ipsilateral or contralateral upper limb pathology that requires active treatment (i.e. surgery or brace).
  • Inflammatory arthropathy.
  • Diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diagnosed with gout.
  • Subject is on chronic anticoagulation due to a bleeding disorder or has taken anticoagulants within 10 days prior to surgery.
  • Peripheral vascular disease or other vascular disorders that would impair healing.
  • Peripheral neuropathy or other neurological disorders that may impair the patient to ambulate.
  • Patient is on workers compensation.
  • Any condition requiring chemotherapy.
  • Active tobacco user or former tobacco user who is not free of using tobacco for 8 weeks.
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus with an HbA1C > 7.5%.
  • Current drug or alcohol abuse.
  • Major medical illness (life expectancy less then 2 years or unacceptably high operative risk)
  • Suspicion of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.
  • Deltoid insufficiency on physical examination.

Intra-operative:

• Iatrogenic glenoid fracture

Post-operative:

  • Neurological injury of the upper extremity.
  • Complications from Primary Reverse Shoulder Total Arthroplasty (i.e. post-operative infection, bleeding, hardware failure).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Immediate Active Shoulder Rehabilitation
Other: Rehabilitiation
This study will be a non-blinded randomized controlled outcomes study evaluating outcomes at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-operatively from a primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with two different post-operative physical rehabilitation protocols. There will be 2 groups, one undergoing the immediate active shoulder physical therapy protocol consisting of four quadrant stretches and full active motion of the shoulder from post op day 1 in the hospital. The second group will follow the traditional TRIA physical therapy protocol consisting of PT (standard of care) followed by a gradual return to active range of motion of the shoulder beginning by week 6, calling for 18 physical therapy visits. The physical therapy will occur where the patient is most comfortable receiving it.
Active Comparator: Traditional Should Rehabilitation
Other: Rehabilitiation
This study will be a non-blinded randomized controlled outcomes study evaluating outcomes at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-operatively from a primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with two different post-operative physical rehabilitation protocols. There will be 2 groups, one undergoing the immediate active shoulder physical therapy protocol consisting of four quadrant stretches and full active motion of the shoulder from post op day 1 in the hospital. The second group will follow the traditional TRIA physical therapy protocol consisting of PT (standard of care) followed by a gradual return to active range of motion of the shoulder beginning by week 6, calling for 18 physical therapy visits. The physical therapy will occur where the patient is most comfortable receiving it.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
American Society for Elbow and Shoulder Score
Time Frame: Pre-operatively
1. American Shoulder and Elbow score (ASES) is a scale that measures shoulder pain and function with 11 items, one item for pain and 10 items for function. The score for each subscale is out of 50 (0-50), with a higher score indicating a better outcome. The total score is a sum of both subscales, ranging between 0-100, using the following formula, Total score = ((10 - VAS pain) × 5) + (5/3 × sum of function items).
Pre-operatively
American Society for Elbow and Shoulder Score
Time Frame: 2 weeks
1. American Shoulder and Elbow score (ASES) is a scale that measures shoulder pain and function with 11 items, one item for pain and 10 items for function. The score for each subscale is out of 50 (0-50), with a higher score indicating a better outcome. The total score is a sum of both subscales, ranging between 0-100, using the following formula, Total score = ((10 - VAS pain) × 5) + (5/3 × sum of function items).
2 weeks
American Society for Elbow and Shoulder Score
Time Frame: 3 months
1. American Shoulder and Elbow score (ASES) is a scale that measures shoulder pain and function with 11 items, one item for pain and 10 items for function. The score for each subscale is out of 50 (0-50), with a higher score indicating a better outcome. The total score is a sum of both subscales, ranging between 0-100, using the following formula, Total score = ((10 - VAS pain) × 5) + (5/3 × sum of function items).
3 months
American Society for Elbow and Shoulder Score
Time Frame: 6 months
1. American Shoulder and Elbow score (ASES) is a scale that measures shoulder pain and function with 11 items, one item for pain and 10 items for function. The score for each subscale is out of 50 (0-50), with a higher score indicating a better outcome. The total score is a sum of both subscales, ranging between 0-100, using the following formula, Total score = ((10 - VAS pain) × 5) + (5/3 × sum of function items).
6 months
American Society for Elbow and Shoulder Score
Time Frame: 1 year
1. American Shoulder and Elbow score (ASES) is a scale that measures shoulder pain and function with 11 items, one item for pain and 10 items for function. The score for each subscale is out of 50 (0-50), with a higher score indicating a better outcome. The total score is a sum of both subscales, ranging between 0-100, using the following formula, Total score = ((10 - VAS pain) × 5) + (5/3 × sum of function items).
1 year
Simple Shoulder Test
Time Frame: Pre-operatively
2. The Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST) is a 12 item, yes/no questionnaire assessing shoulder function. There are 2 items on function related to pain, 7 items about functions/strength and 3 items about range of motion. There are no subscales. A "yes" response is 1 point and a "no" response is 0 point. The following formula is used to calculate a score out of 100 (0-100), total= number of "yes" items/number of completed items × 100 = % "yes" responses. A higher score indicates better function from a scale of 0-100.
Pre-operatively
Simple Shoulder Test
Time Frame: 2 weeks
2. The Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST) is a 12 item, yes/no questionnaire assessing shoulder function. There are 2 items on function related to pain, 7 items about functions/strength and 3 items about range of motion. There are no subscales. A "yes" response is 1 point and a "no" response is 0 point. The following formula is used to calculate a score out of 100 (0-100), total= number of "yes" items/number of completed items × 100 = % "yes" responses. A higher score indicates better function from a scale of 0-100.
2 weeks
Simple Shoulder Test
Time Frame: 3 months
2. The Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST) is a 12 item, yes/no questionnaire assessing shoulder function. There are 2 items on function related to pain, 7 items about functions/strength and 3 items about range of motion. There are no subscales. A "yes" response is 1 point and a "no" response is 0 point. The following formula is used to calculate a score out of 100 (0-100), total= number of "yes" items/number of completed items × 100 = % "yes" responses. A higher score indicates better function from a scale of 0-100.
3 months
Simple Shoulder Test
Time Frame: 6 months
2. The Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST) is a 12 item, yes/no questionnaire assessing shoulder function. There are 2 items on function related to pain, 7 items about functions/strength and 3 items about range of motion. There are no subscales. A "yes" response is 1 point and a "no" response is 0 point. The following formula is used to calculate a score out of 100 (0-100), total= number of "yes" items/number of completed items × 100 = % "yes" responses. A higher score indicates better function from a scale of 0-100.
6 months
Simple Shoulder Test
Time Frame: 1 year
2. The Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST) is a 12 item, yes/no questionnaire assessing shoulder function. There are 2 items on function related to pain, 7 items about functions/strength and 3 items about range of motion. There are no subscales. A "yes" response is 1 point and a "no" response is 0 point. The following formula is used to calculate a score out of 100 (0-100), total= number of "yes" items/number of completed items × 100 = % "yes" responses. A higher score indicates better function from a scale of 0-100.
1 year
PROMIS Global 10
Time Frame: Pre-operatively
3. The PROMIS Global-10 is a global health quality of life patient reported outcome tool. It is part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). It measures symptoms, functioning, and healthcare quality of life for a wide variety of conditions. The PROMIS Global-10 consists of 10 questions assessing physical health, mental health, social health, pain, fatigue, and overall perceived quality of life. 7 questions inquire about health in "general" and 3 questions assess emotional problems, fatigue and pain in the last 7 days. Raw subscale scores for physical and mental health each are calculated out of 20. The raw score are converted to T scores for physical and mental health using the following formulas: the Global Physical Health score is generated by summing responses to Global03, Global06, Global07rescored, and Global08rescored. The Global Mental Health score is generated by summing responses to Global02, Global04, Global05, and Global10rescored.
Pre-operatively
PROMIS Global 10
Time Frame: 2 weeks
3. The PROMIS Global-10 is a global health quality of life patient reported outcome tool. It is part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). It measures symptoms, functioning, and healthcare quality of life for a wide variety of conditions. The PROMIS Global-10 consists of 10 questions assessing physical health, mental health, social health, pain, fatigue, and overall perceived quality of life. 7 questions inquire about health in "general" and 3 questions assess emotional problems, fatigue and pain in the last 7 days. Raw subscale scores for physical and mental health each are calculated out of 20. The raw score are converted to T scores for physical and mental health using the following formulas: the Global Physical Health score is generated by summing responses to Global03, Global06, Global07rescored, and Global08rescored. The Global Mental Health score is generated by summing responses to Global02, Global04, Global05, and Global10rescored.
2 weeks
PROMIS Global 10
Time Frame: 3 months
3. The PROMIS Global-10 is a global health quality of life patient reported outcome tool. It is part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). It measures symptoms, functioning, and healthcare quality of life for a wide variety of conditions. The PROMIS Global-10 consists of 10 questions assessing physical health, mental health, social health, pain, fatigue, and overall perceived quality of life. 7 questions inquire about health in "general" and 3 questions assess emotional problems, fatigue and pain in the last 7 days. Raw subscale scores for physical and mental health each are calculated out of 20. The raw score are converted to T scores for physical and mental health using the following formulas: the Global Physical Health score is generated by summing responses to Global03, Global06, Global07rescored, and Global08rescored. The Global Mental Health score is generated by summing responses to Global02, Global04, Global05, and Global10rescored.
3 months
PROMIS Global 10
Time Frame: 6 months
3. The PROMIS Global-10 is a global health quality of life patient reported outcome tool. It is part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). It measures symptoms, functioning, and healthcare quality of life for a wide variety of conditions. The PROMIS Global-10 consists of 10 questions assessing physical health, mental health, social health, pain, fatigue, and overall perceived quality of life. 7 questions inquire about health in "general" and 3 questions assess emotional problems, fatigue and pain in the last 7 days. Raw subscale scores for physical and mental health each are calculated out of 20. The raw score are converted to T scores for physical and mental health using the following formulas: the Global Physical Health score is generated by summing responses to Global03, Global06, Global07rescored, and Global08rescored. The Global Mental Health score is generated by summing responses to Global02, Global04, Global05, and Global10rescored.
6 months
PROMIS Global 10
Time Frame: 1 year
3. The PROMIS Global-10 is a global health quality of life patient reported outcome tool. It is part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). It measures symptoms, functioning, and healthcare quality of life for a wide variety of conditions. The PROMIS Global-10 consists of 10 questions assessing physical health, mental health, social health, pain, fatigue, and overall perceived quality of life. 7 questions inquire about health in "general" and 3 questions assess emotional problems, fatigue and pain in the last 7 days. Raw subscale scores for physical and mental health each are calculated out of 20. The raw score are converted to T scores for physical and mental health using the following formulas: the Global Physical Health score is generated by summing responses to Global03, Global06, Global07rescored, and Global08rescored. The Global Mental Health score is generated by summing responses to Global02, Global04, Global05, and Global10rescored.
1 year
Range of Motion
Time Frame: Pre-operatively, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year post-operatively
4. Range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is an objective measure of shoulder function. A blinded examiner will measure the range of motion in forward elevation, external rotation in the neutral position external rotation with the arm in abduction, internal rotation in the neutral position, and internal rotation with the arm in abduction. A goniometer will be used measuring to the nearest degree. The range of motion for forward elevation will range between 0-180 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome. External and internal rotation ranges from 0-90 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome.
Pre-operatively, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year post-operatively
Range of Motion
Time Frame: 3 months
4. Range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is an objective measure of shoulder function. A blinded examiner will measure the range of motion in forward elevation, external rotation in the neutral position external rotation with the arm in abduction, internal rotation in the neutral position, and internal rotation with the arm in abduction. A goniometer will be used measuring to the nearest degree. The range of motion for forward elevation will range between 0-180 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome. External and internal rotation ranges from 0-90 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome.
3 months
Range of Motion
Time Frame: 6 months
4. Range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is an objective measure of shoulder function. A blinded examiner will measure the range of motion in forward elevation, external rotation in the neutral position external rotation with the arm in abduction, internal rotation in the neutral position, and internal rotation with the arm in abduction. A goniometer will be used measuring to the nearest degree. The range of motion for forward elevation will range between 0-180 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome. External and internal rotation ranges from 0-90 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome.
6 months
Range of Motion
Time Frame: 1 year
4. Range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder is an objective measure of shoulder function. A blinded examiner will measure the range of motion in forward elevation, external rotation in the neutral position external rotation with the arm in abduction, internal rotation in the neutral position, and internal rotation with the arm in abduction. A goniometer will be used measuring to the nearest degree. The range of motion for forward elevation will range between 0-180 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome. External and internal rotation ranges from 0-90 degrees with a higher number indicating a better outcome.
1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Subscapularis Tear
Time Frame: 1 year
Determination if a tear is present.
1 year

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of PT Visits
Time Frame: 1 Year
Count of number of visits.
1 Year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
HealthPartners Institute

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
TRIA Orthopaedic Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 12, 2018

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 8, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 11, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 5, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 2, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 18-259

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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