33rd Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction: Supraspinatus tendinopathy (ST) is frequently challenging to diagnose and treat.

Objectives: To determine the different techniques used by Specialists in Surgery and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (SMR), in the diagnosis and treatment of ST.

Materials and methods: An online survey was sent to ACVS/ECVS and ACVSMR/ECVSMR specialists. Information on patient signalment, clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment, and prognosis were recorded. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare results between different specialties. Multiple regression analysis was performed to predict some selected responses. P=0,05.

Results: 107 responses were received, which showed the typical patient with ST was 2-6 years old, (74,7%), athletic (53,9%), large breed (Labrador retriever, Border collie), and had unilateral lameness. Pain was found on tendon palpation (62,7%), and on shoulder flexion (62,7%) and mobilization (50,7%). Ultrasound was the most commonly used diagnostic technique (75,3%). First treatment option for SMR specialists included rehabilitation followed by extracorporeal shockwave therapy, while surgeons preferred NSAIDs followed by rehabilitation. If the first therapy failed, significantly more surgeons (56.6%) than SMR specialists (33.3%) would choose surgical treatment (p=0,02).  Surgical techniques performed varied among respondents, with 61,4% performing shoulder arthroscopy, 42,1% debulking the supraspinatus tendon medially, and 36,8% making longitudinal incisions. Management of ST was reported to have good to excellent results (86,8%) and recovery was most commonly achieved after 3-6 months (64,7%).

Conclusions: These results provide information on the approaches undertaken by different specialists, differing mainly on treatment options.