Surgery or exercise? landmark trial tests best treatment for Worn-Out shoulders
NCT ID NCT04864158
First seen Jul 02, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026
Summary
This trial compares two approaches for people with rotator cuff arthropathy, a condition where the shoulder joint wears down due to a torn rotator cuff. One group receives reverse total shoulder replacement surgery followed by standard rehab, while the other group completes a 12-week supervised exercise program. The study aims to see if surgery leads to better pain relief and function than exercise alone. Participants are between 60 and 85 years old and are eligible for shoulder replacement.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and a 12-week exercise program
What this could lead to
If surgery proves superior, it could confirm reverse shoulder replacement as the best option for severe rotator cuff arthropathy. If exercise works as well, it may offer a non-surgical alternative.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small trial (102 participants) and results may not apply to all patients. Surgery carries risks like infection or implant failure, while exercise may not provide enough relief for severe cases.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Tipmed Shoulder Prosthesis Safety Study NCT07678034
- Shoulder Rehab After Reverse Replacement: NCT03804853
- Shoulder Replacement Study for Arthritis and Fra NCT07558590
- Shoulder Arthritis Surgery: Subscapularis Repair NCT04728282
- Shoulder Infection Prevention Gel Trial NCT07406893
- Shoulder Pain Relief: Steroid Injection vs. Nerv NCT06735027
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Aalborg University Hospital
RECRUITINGFarsø, 9640, Denmark
Contact
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Aarhus University Hospital
RECRUITINGAarhus N, Denmark
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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Esbjerg Hospital
RECRUITINGEsbjerg, 6700, Denmark
Contact
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Oslo University Hospital
RECRUITINGOslo, 4956, Norway
Contact
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Silkeborg Regional Hospital
RECRUITINGSilkeborg, 8600, Denmark
Contact
Contact
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Tampere University Hospital
RECRUITINGTampere, 33521, Finland
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Tartu University Hospital
RECRUITINGTartu, Estonia
Contact
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Viborg Regional Hospital
RECRUITINGViborg, 8800, Denmark
Contact
Contact