[Nonpharmacological treatments for osteoporosis]. / Traitements non médicamenteux de l'ostéoporose.

OBJECTIVES: Study the effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments for osteoporosis. METHOD: Review and qualitative analysis of the literature concerning the effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments: physical exercise, rehabilitation aiming to prevent falls, spinal orthosis, and vertebro- and kyphoplasty. RESULTS: The level of evidence of the effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatment is unequal on the basis of randomized study. The practice of physical exercise by the ambulatory elderly people and home rehabilitation for those who have previously fallen prevent the occurrence of falls. For institutionalized people, the prevention of falls is achieved by multidisciplinary programs. The use of hip protectors to prevent fracture is controversial. Physical exercises prevent bone loss after menopause and during postmenopausaul and corticosteroid osteoporosis. The effectiveness of mobilization after fracture is not documented. Only one study concerning the use of spinal orthosis after vertebral fracture reports interesting results for pain and disability. No randomized study concerning vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fracture is described. CONCLUSION: The nonpharmacological treatments of osteoporosis are considered therapeutic means of key importance. They aim at the prevention of falls and bone loss and the reduction of disability after fracture. Only physical exercise and rehabilitation have been shown to be effective in preventing falls or bone loss. Their ability to reduce the incidence of fractures remains to be evaluated.

Short-term local injections of transforming growth factor-beta 1 decrease ovariectomy-stimulated osteoclastic resorption in vivo in rats.

Estrogen deficiency in rats is responsible for increased osteoclastic resorption and a subsequent rapid bone loss. TGF-beta, which is known to have acute effects on bone resorption in several in vitro models, has been shown to be secreted by osteoblastic cells in vitro in response to 17 beta-estradiol, but little is known about its in vivo effects on bone resorption. We therefore decided to investigate the short-term effect of TGF-beta 1 on bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. TGF-beta 1 (0.04-20 ng/injection), or vehicle, was injected daily directly into the bone marrow space, through a thin catheter implanted in the distal end of the right femur, during 4 consecutive days, starting 14 days after the ovariectomy. Bone histomorphometry was performed in the secondary spongiosa of the metaphysis of injected femurs and compared with vehicle-injected femurs of sham ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy was associated with a marked increase in the resorption surface, a 2-fold increase in the number of osteoclasts, and no change in the number of TRAP-positive marrow cells distant from bone surfaces. Bone resorption was significantly lower in the TGF-beta 1-injected bones of ovariectomized rats, as compared with vehicle injected bones: the osteoclast surface and the number of osteoclasts were, respectively, 11.0 +/- 5.1% versus 20.8 +/- 1.3% and 287 +/- 41 versus 505 +/- 53, in bones injected with 0.2 ng of TGF-beta 1 as compared with vehicle-injected bones (mean +/- SE, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genetic and environmental factors affect bone density variances of families of men and women with osteoporosis.

Our aim was to assess the relative impacts of genetics and environment in the families of osteoporotic patients and identify the best subgroup of patients to investigate the genes associated with osteoporosis. We recruited 36 men and 47 women with osteoporosis (probands), median age of 52 and 68 yr, and all their siblings (90) and offspring (83). The families were classified as young or old on the basis of the median age of the probands. We measured the bone mineral density at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) adjusted for age and weight and standardized (Z-score). Physical activity, nutritional calcium, and alcohol and tobacco consumption were investigated. We compared the mean Z-score using linear mixed model and assessed the familial resemblance using intraclass correlation. The mean Z-scores of the families of osteoporotic patients were significantly negative at FN and LS, with no intergeneration or intergender differences. At FN, but not at LS, the mean Z-score was independently lower in the families of male probands (mean +/- SD: -0.57 +/- 0.96, female: -0.18 +/- 0.85, P = 0.012) and in young families (-0.58 +/- 0.94, old families: -0.11 +/- 0.83, P = 0.006). This suggested that the lower Z-score in the families of men with osteoporosis was related to their younger age. There was significant phenotypic resemblance among members in the families. In the families of female probands, the correlation between the probands and her siblings was weak and disappeared after adjustment on environment, and a resemblance appeared within their children (FN: r = 0.61) suggesting that different environment had masked the resemblance in this subgroup. In the families of male probands, a strong resemblance persisted after adjusting for environment, (proband-offspring at FN: r = 0.46 and within offspring at FN: r = 0.66, at LS: r = 0.61). This showed that resemblance was independent of a common measurable environment in these families of men with osteoporosis. In conclusion, mainly young osteoporotic patients, most of whom were male in our study, are affected by the genetic component.

Molecular characterization of two novel isoforms of the human calcitonin receptor.

Calcitonin inhibits bone resorption by acting on osteoclasts via a specific receptor. The calcitonin receptor (CTR) is also found in many other normal and malignant tissues and cell lines. It has been cloned and sequenced in several species including humans. It belongs to a subclass of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. Four human CTR (H-CTR) isoforms generated by alternatively spliced mRNA have previously been described. Two H-CTR encoding DNAs containing an unidentified 50-bp insert are now reported from T47D cells. The 50-bp insert corresponds to a DNA region located between exon 9 and exon 10, and appears to originate from an alternative splicing process. The two H-CTR cDNAs encode 274 and 290 aa long isoforms. Both are deleted from the putative fourth transmembrane domain to C-tail. They differ by the presence (H-CTR5) or absence (H-CTR6) of a previously known 16-aa insert in the putative first intracellular loop. Cell- and tissue-distribution analysis using RT-PCR demonstrates that the shorter one, HCTR6, is more prevalent. The mRNA of both isoforms was detected in giant cell tumor, whereas only H-CTR6 mRNA was detected in TT cells and kidney tissue. Neither H-CTR5 nor H-CTR6 could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured in the presence of RANKL, in MCF7 cells, and in cortical brain and ovarian tissues. When H-CTR6 was transiently expressed in HEK293 cells, CT failed to induce production of cAMP or to bind to the receptor. These suggest either an intrinsic loss of ligand binding function, or an altered intracellular trafficking. Our findings therefore indicate the existence of two novel splice variants of the H-CTR and confirm that multiple splicing patterns could be involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of the gene.

Spinal tuberculosis in adults. A study of 103 cases in a developed country, 1980-1994.

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for about 2% of all cases of TB. New methods of diagnosis such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or percutaneous needle biopsy have emerged. Two distinct patterns of spinal TB can be identified, the classic form, called spondylodiscitis (SPD) in this article, and an increasingly common atypical form characterized by spondylitis without disk involvement (SPwD). We conducted a retrospective study of patients with spinal TB managed in the area of Paris, France, between 1980 and 1994 with the goal of defining the characteristics of spinal TB and comparing SPD to SPwD. The 103 consecutive patients included in our study had TB confirmed by bacteriologic and/or histologic studies of specimens from spinal or paraspinal lesions (93 patients) or from extraspinal skeletal lesions (10 patients). Sixty-eight percent of patients were foreign-born subjects from developing countries. None of our patients was HIV-positive. SPD accounted for 48% of cases and SPwD for 52%. Patients with SPwD were younger and more likely to be foreign-born and to have multiple skeletal TB lesions. Neurologic manifestations were observed in 50% of patients, with no differences between the SPD and SPwD groups. Of the 44 patients investigated by MRI, 6 had normal plain radiographs; MRI was consistently positive and demonstrated epidural involvement in 77% of cases. Bacteriologic and histologic yields were similar for surgical biopsy (n = 16) and for percutaneous needle aspiration and/or biopsy (n = 77). Cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were positive in 83% of patients, and no strains were resistant to rifampin. Median duration of antituberculous chemotherapy was 14 months. Surgical treatment was performed in 24% of patients. There were 2 TB-related deaths. Our data suggest that SPwD may now be the most common pattern of spinal TB in foreign-born subjects in industrialized countries. The reasons for this remain to be elucidated.

Calcitonin receptor mRNA in mononuclear leucocytes from postmenopausal women: decrease during osteoporosis and link to bone markers with specific isoform involvement.

Calcitonin inhibits bone resorption via its receptor (CTR) on osteoclasts. Two hCTR isoforms, hCTR1 and hCTR2, give proteins that differ in their structure and signaling pathways. We investigated whether specific isoforms or quantitative changes in total hCTR mRNA were associated with high bone resorption and turnover in menopause or osteoporosis. The hCTR mRNA in mononuclear blood cells of premenopausal (PreM), healthy (PostM), and osteoporotic (OsteoP) postmenopausal women was assessed using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. hCTR1 and hCTR2 were investigated for 59 total RNA samples, and semiquantitative analysis of total hCTR mRNA was performed for 71. Serum calcitonin, free urinary deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr), serum bone alkaline phosphatase (SBAP), and osteocalcin (SOC) were also evaluated. Serum calcitonin levels did not differ in PostM and OsteoP. The prevalence of each isoform was similar in the three groups. Healthy postmenopausal women and OsteoP with hCTR2 had lower bone turnover (D-Pyr: 6.79 +/- 0.54, n = 25; SBAP: 11.63 +/- 1.47, n = 26; SOC: 8.31 +/- 0.58, n = 26) than those without hCTR2 (D-Pyr: 9.90 +/- 1.95, n = 5; SBAP: 21 +/- 5.19, n = 5; SOC: 11.9 +/- 2.10, n = 5; p < 0.05). Total hCTR mRNA levels were not different in PreM and PostM. By contrast, values were strikingly lower in OsteoP (0.57 +/- 0.17, n = 28) than in PostM (2. 25 +/- 0.61, n = 19, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with bone markers values in both. We suggest that a specific isoform and amounts of total hCTR mRNA are linked to increased bone resorption in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Lymph node tuberculosis in the suburbs of Paris: 59 cases in adults not infected by the human immunodeficiency virus.

We report 59 cases of lymph node tuberculosis in adults not infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), observed over a period of 5 years in the North Eastern suburbs of Paris. There were 31 women and 28 men; 84.7% were aged under 44 years; 69.5% were not French, and 78% had exclusive lymph node tuberculosis. A superficial distribution was found in 52 cases and a deep pattern in 17 cases. Cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathies were the most common (64.4%). General symptoms were present in 63% of cases. The diagnosis was established by fine needle aspiration in 10 cases and by biopsy in 36 cases. Three cases of primary resistance to anti-tuberculosis therapy were described. Lymph node tuberculosis is still present in the Paris region, independently of HIV infection, probably due to poor social conditions.

Brown tumor of the spine revealing secondary hyperparathyroidism. Report of a case.

Brown tumors are classic skeletal manifestations of hyperparathyroidism usually seen in severe forms with subperiosteal bone resorption. They are exceedingly rare at the spine. We report the case of a woman on hemodialysis who developed two brown tumors, including one at the spine, as the first manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism. There were no neurologic manifestations. The clinical and radiologic abnormalities resolved after parathyroidectomy preceded by a bisphosphonate infusion to prevent possible spinal lysis progression during the immediate postoperative period. In addition to the location of one of the brown tumors at the spine, unusual features in this case were the explosive onset of hyperparathyroidism and the absence of detectable subperiosteal resorption. We also suggest that bisphosphonate therapy given before parathyroidectomy may be useful in patients with spinal brown tumors.

[Bone hyperresorption in multiple myeloma]. / L'hyperrésorption osseuse au cours du myélome multiple.

OSTEOLYSIS AND HYPERCALCEMIA: Multiple myeloma is a type B high-grade lymphoproliferative syndrome with bone tropism. Bone-related manifestations--osteolysis and hypercalcemia--are observed in 80 and 30% of cases respectively. Excessive bone resorption subsequent to destruction of the bone matrix by osteoclasts is associated with insufficient bone formation. This process plays a determining role in the development of osteolysis and hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma patients. MECHANISM OF BONE DESTRUCTION: The reality and intensity of bone destruction is clearly demonstrated by histomorphometric studies and more recently by biochemical methods using markers of bone resorption. The excessive bone resorption results from complex interactions between tumor plasma cells, bone cells, and stem cells and involves local factors and adhesion molecules. BISPHOSPHONATES: Bisphosphonates are powerful inhibitors of bone resorption. They constitute a substantial advance in the management of bone manifestation in patients with multiple myeloma. Bisphosphonates not only have a well-established curative effect in patients with tumor-induced hypercalcemia, but also inhibit disease progression in bone.

[Epidemiological aspects of osteoarticular tuberculosis in adults. Retrospective study of 206 cases diagnosed in the Paris area from 1980 to 1994]. / Aspects épidémiologiques de la tuberculose ostéo-articulaire de l'adulte. Etude rétrospective de 206 cas diagnostiqués en région parisienne de 1980 à 1994.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic features of bone and joint tuberculosis in the Paris area from 1980 to 1994. METHODS: This retrospective study included 206 cases of confirmed bone and joint tuberculosis (in situ specimen) diagnosed from 1980 to 1994 in 7 hospital units (mainly rheumatology clinics) in Paris and suburban areas. RESULTS: The number of cases increased by a mean 12 per year from 1980 to 1989 then by 17 cases per year from 1990 to 1994. In both 1993 and 1994 there were 21 cases per year. The percentage of immigrant patients was 53% from 1980 to 1989 then reached 74% for 1990-1994, predominantly in subjects from black Africa. Only one patient in the series had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A favoring factor was found in 23% of the immigrant and in 45% of the native French patients. Mean age was 37 years in immigrants and 58 years in French patients. Compared with French patients, immigrants had a higher rate of multifocal bone and joint tuberculosis, peripheral osteitis and spondylitus. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the incidence of bone and joint tuberculosis has increased in Paris in 1993 and 1994. Two populations are especially susceptible: the elderly and/or immunodepressed French population and immigrants coming from endemic zones. The role or HIV infection was minimal in this predominantly rheumatology series.

Hospitalization for Dupuytren's disease: a French national descriptive analysis, 2002 to 2009.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to describe hospitalization for treatment of Dupuytren's disease in France between 2002 and 2009. METHODS: A repeated, annual, cross-sectional national survey of public and private French hospitals was performed between 2002 and 2009, with planned selection criteria for data extraction. Outcomes were age, sex, number of hospitalizations, length of stays, and types of surgical procedure. Types of surgical procedure included aponeurectomy, aponeurotomy, transplantation (skin graft), arthrolysis, amputation, arthrodesis, combined procedures. RESULTS: The selected hospital stays represented 95% to 97% of all stays with Dupuytren's disease coded as the primary diagnosis. The hospitalizations involved mainly men in the 7th decade. The mean number of hospitalizations for Dupuytren's disease was 16,487, for between 7 and 8/10,000 total hospitalizations each year. Most of the hospitalizations for Dupuytren's disease were one-day stays in private settings. Over time, the mean length of hospital stay significantly shortened and the proportion of one-day stays significantly increased. Aponeurectomy was the most reported treatment. The distribution of aponeurectomy of 1 finger or ≥ 2 fingers was balanced. The performance of arthrolysis, transplantation, amputation and arthrodesis was low. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of shortening of hospitals stays over time, hospitalization for surgery for Dupuytren's disease in France still represents a meaningful economic burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Observational study II.

Diagnostic value of clinical tests for degenerative rotator cuff disease in medical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic value of clinical tests for degenerative rotator cuff disease (DRCD) in medical practice. METHODS: Patients with DRCD were prospectively included. Eleven clinical tests of the rotator cuff have been done. One radiologist performed ultrasonography (US) of the shoulder. Results of US were expressed as normal tendon, tendinopathy or full-thickness tear (the reference). For each clinical test and each US criteria, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value, accuracy, negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and positive likelihood ratio (PLR) were calculated. Clinical relevance was defined as PLR ≥2 and NLR ≤0.5. RESULTS: For 35 patients (39 shoulders), Jobe (PLR: 2.08, NLR: 0.31) and full-can (2, 0.5) test results were relevant for diagnosis of supraspinatus tears and resisted lateral rotation (2.42, 0.5) for infraspinatus tears, with weakness as response criteria. The lift-off test (8.50, 0.27) was relevant for subscapularis tears with lag sign as response criteria. Yergason's test (3.7, 0.41) was relevant for tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps with pain as a response criterion. There was no relevant clinical test for diagnosis of tendinopathy of supraspinatus, infraspinatus or subscapularis. CONCLUSIONS: Five of 11 clinical tests were relevant for degenerative rotator cuff disease.

Validation of a French version of Roland-Morris questionnaire in chronic low back pain patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a French version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients due to participate in a functional rehabilitation programme for chronic low back pain were included prospectively. The RMDQ, the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and the "daily activities" subscale of the Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ) were administered. The RMDQ was assessed for internal consistency, reliability, criterion validity and sensitivity to change. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the RMDQ was 0.84. The intraclass correlation coefficient [95% confidence interval] was 0.89 [0.83-0.93]. The RMDQ score was correlated with the QBPDS score (r=0.713) and the DPQ's "daily activities" subscore (r=0.514). The results of assessments before and after functional rehabilitation showed that the French version of the RMDQ had very high sensitivity to change (effect size: 1.49) and was more sensitive than the QBPDS and the DPQ's "daily activities" subscore. CONCLUSIONS: Our study validated the French version of the RMDQ in patients suffering from chronic low back pain. Furthermore, we highlighted the questionnaire's very high sensitivity to change.

Care related pain and functional restoration for chronic low back pain: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess care related pain during a program of functional restoration for chronic low back pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chronic low back pain patients were prospectively included in a program of functional restoration. Low back pain was recorded before and after each morning and afternoon sessions, all over the program of functional restoration, for equivalence study. Equivalence was admitted if 95% confidence interval of the difference in pain falled wholly in the interval ± 10/100mm. Medication was recorded during the program. Progression of the patients during the program and 3-month effectiveness were also recorded for internal validity. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included. They underwent a progression in load and spent energy during the program. Follow-up also indicated improvement of functional ability and quality of life. There was no variation in pain during the program however medication intake increased. CONCLUSION: There was no significant care related pain during our program of functional restoration for chronic low back pain. This may be due to adaptation of the medication and suggests the importance of close medical management of patients during functional restoration.

Poliomyelitis sequels in France and the clinical and social needs of survivors: a retrospective study of 200 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Polio survivors in France are estimated at 50,000. This study aimed at describing their needs from their clinical and vocational conditions. METHOD: A retrospective study of our physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) consultation activity. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen women/85 men, with a mean age of 51years±14.3 (17 to 82). Paralysis involved only one lower limb in 108 patients, the two lower limbs in 56 patients and only one upper limb in 4. At the time of the first consultation 137 patients had experienced functional worsening. The complaints were pain (105 subjects), fatigue (59) and new paresis (58). Only 25% had retired. Post-polio syndrome criteria were present in 46 subjects (23%). Patients who had contracted poliomyelitis in France (56%) differed from the other subjects with regard to age (58.4 versus 41.5), professional status and frequency of PPS (30.9% versus 12.6%). CONCLUSION: These polio survivors were not particularly aged and they had often experienced functional worsening. The evolution of their disease shall represent a public health issue over the decades to come.

Disabling chronic low back pain with Modic type 1 MRI signal: acute reduction in pain with intradiscal corticotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the current study was to compare short- and long-term effect on chronic low back pain of intradiscal injection of methylprednisolone with or without presence of Modic type 1 MRI changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical charts of patients receiving intradiscal injection of methylprednisolone from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 24h after injection and at follow-up (12-14 months). Patients were studied in three groups: Modic I-a, if patients had Modic type 1 changes with no previous surgery or nucleolysis (n=30); Modic I-b, if patients had Modic type 1 changes at the level of previous surgery or nucleolysis (n=37); Control, if patients had no Modic type 1 changes (n=30). RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after methylprednisolone injection, higher proportion of patients with self-assessed improvement was observed in Modic I-a (90%) and Modic I-b (71%) than in Control (30%). Low back pain decreased in both Modic groups. Low back pain did not vary from baseline in controls. No effect was detected in three groups, neither for radiating pain 24h after injection, nor for any outcome parameters at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that patients with disabling chronic low back pain and Modic type 1 MRI changes have specific acute response to intradiscal injection of methylprednisolone. Clinical studies are however necessary to further investigate the effectiveness and safety of such injections.

Clinical practice guidelines for the surgical management of rotator cuff tears in adults.

CONTEXT: Rotator cuff tears are very common. In 2005, about 45 000 patients in France underwent surgery. Surgical techniques and indications have evolved over recent years with the development of arthroscopic procedures. The lack of visibility on current practice and a request by the French Ministry of Health to assess the fixation devices used in arthroscopic surgery prompted the drafting of these guidelines. OBJECTIVES: To produce guidelines on the indications and limitations of open surgery and arthroscopic surgery. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature (2000-2007) was performed. It was submitted to a multidisciplinary working group of experts in the field (n = 12) who drafted an evidence report and clinical practice guidelines, which were amended in the light of comments from 36 peer reviewers. MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS: (i) Medical treatment (oral medication, injections, physiotherapy) is always the first option in the management of degenerative tears of rotator cuff tendons. Surgery is a later option that depends on clinical and morphological factors, and patient characteristics.(ii) Surgery can be considered for the purpose of functional recovery in cases of a painful, weak or disabling shoulder refractory to medical treatment. (iii) Arthroscopy is indicated for nonreconstructive surgery or debridement, and for partial tear debridement or repair. (iv) Open surgery, mini-open surgery or arthroscopy can be used for a full-thickness tear accessible to direct repair by suture. (v) A humeral prosthesis or total reversed prosthesis is indicated for cuff tear arthropathy. (vi) The fixation devices used for bone reinsertion (anchors, screws, staples,and buttons) are indispensable for fully arthroscopic repair. No studies have determined the number of fixation devices to be used according to tear size.

Intermediate term functional outcome prediction following full thickness rotator cuff tear reparative or not reparative surgery.

UNLABELLED: Although simple suturing repair of a full thickness cuff tear can be performed when the preoperative fatty degeneration index (FDI) is 2 or less, it is not known if the functional results will be better than palliative surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to describe and validate a method to predict the intermediate term unweighted Constant scores of different surgical treatments based on preoperative FDI. The hypothesis of this study is that the preoperative and final follow-up ratios FDI/final follow-up Constant scores regression lines, established on a previous "reference study"[5] (a series of 29 shoulders with cuff tears and sutured intact rotator cuff), could be used for this purpose. MATERIAL: The present study included seven series of sutured cuffs (five, which resulted in intact cuffs and two in recurrent tears) and one series of cuffs treated with palliative surgery. Knowledge of the preoperative FDI and the location of the recurrent or unrepaired tears were required criteria for these series inclusion in the study. METHOD: For each of the series in this study the Constant scores and selected score items were compared to scores calculated with the same mathematical formulas previously used to determine the regression lines in the reference study series (resulting in Constant scores in relation to preoperative and final follow-up FDI). RESULTS: The calculated Constant scores were similar to those reported by the authors, which validate the proposed method. DISCUSSION: Because of the small size of the series of sutured cuffs with recurrent tears and of cuffs that underwent palliative surgery and arthroscopic treatment it is impossible to definitely confirm the validity of this method. CONCLUSION: The intermediate term results of different surgical treatments can reasonably be predicted for full thickness tendon tears based on the preoperative FDI and the location of these tears. With this method the best treatment should be chosen for a rotator cuff tear on a case-by-case basis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.