Surgery or exercise? new study pits shoulder replacement against a 12-Week workout plan
NCT ID NCT04845074
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two treatments for severe shoulder arthritis: total shoulder replacement surgery followed by rehab, versus a 12-week exercise program with a physiotherapist. Researchers want to see if surgery leads to better pain relief and function than exercise alone. The trial involves 102 adults aged 55-85 who 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
- Shoulder replacement surgery or a 12-week exercise program
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a structured exercise program is as effective as surgery for some people with shoulder osteoarthritis, potentially avoiding the need for an operation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial (102 participants) and results may not apply to everyone. The exercise program requires commitment, and surgery carries standard risks like infection or complications.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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102 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2021
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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
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55 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients ≥55-85 years * Moderate-severe primary OA of the glenohumeral joint according to Samilson and Prieto, by measuring the lower osteophyte (32) * Eligible for surgery with standard TSA Exclusion Criteria: * Surgical need for bonegraft * Previous shoulder fracture (fracture of the proximal humerus or glenoid fracture) * Planned other upper extremity surgery within six months * Rheumatoid arthritis or other types of arthritis not diagnosed as primary glenohumeral OA * Cancer diagnosis and receiving chemo-, immuno- or radiotherapy * Neurological diseases affecting shoulder mobility (e.g. disability after previous stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease) * Other reasons for exclusion (i.e. mentally unable to participate) or planned absence for more than 14 days in the first 3 months after baseline test. * Unable to communicate in the participating countries respective languages
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Aalborg University Hospital
Farsø, 9640, Denmark
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Aarhus University Hospital
Aarhus, 8200, Denmark
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Esbjerg Hospital
Esbjerg, 6700, Denmark
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Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, 4956, Norway
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Silkeborg Regional Hospital
Silkeborg, 8600, Denmark
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Tampere University Hospital
Tampere, 33521, Finland
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Viborg Regional Hospital
Viborg, 8800, Denmark
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- New shoulder implant could improve joint replacement outcomes
- New injection combo aims to ease stiff, painful shoulders