Surgery or rehab? new trial tackles stiff shoulder tears

NCT ID NCT07192302

Disease control Sponsor: Hebei Medical University Third Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at the best way to treat partial rotator cuff tears in people who also have stiff shoulders. Half of the 80 participants will have early surgery, while the other half will follow a structured rehab program with the option of surgery later if needed. The goal is to see which approach leads to better shoulder function and less pain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Arthroscopy (surgical procedure) and oral medication (NSAIDs)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that early surgery provides better shoulder function and pain relief than rehabilitation alone for people with partial rotator cuff tears and stiff shoulders.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (Phase 1) with only 80 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Surgery also carries risks like infection or stiffness, and the benefit over rehabilitation is not yet proven.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1

The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.

Participants

About 80 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jun 2025

Expected to finish

Dec 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 80 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-80 years. 2. Symptomatic shoulder pain for \>2 weeks. 3. MRI-confirmed partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (\>50% tendon thickness or \>5mm in length). 4. Concomitant shoulder stiffness, defined as passive range of motion loss of ≥25% in at least two planes (forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, or internal rotation) compared to the contralateral side. 5. Failure of a brief (≥2 weeks) trial of conservative care (e.g., oral NSAIDs). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Age\< 18 or \>80 years. 2. Full-thickness rotator cuff tear. 3. Previous surgery on the affected shoulder. 4. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis (Grade ≥2 Samilson-Prieto). 5. Cervical radiculopathy as a primary cause of symptoms. 6. Systemic inflammatory arthritis. 7. Neurologic disorder affecting the shoulder. 8. Contraindications to surgery or general anesthesia. 9. Inability to comply with the rehabilitation protocol.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bursitis rotator cuff syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Rotator cuff tears of the shoulder Shoulder adhesive capsulitis Shoulder arthroscopy

Surgery or rehab? new trial tackles stiff shoulder tears

What the study statuses mean