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Self-reported management among people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: An observational study

Smythe, A.; Rathi, S.; Pavlova, N.; Littlewood, Chris; Connell, D.; Haines, T.; Malliaras, P.

Authors

A. Smythe

S. Rathi

N. Pavlova

D. Connell

T. Haines

P. Malliaras



Abstract

Background: Rotator cuff related shoulder pain is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Whilst guidelines recommend conservative management prior to imaging, injection or surgical management, recent findings suggest that patients experience management contrary to guideline recommendations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported management among people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) and their beliefs towards management. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional survey of people with RCRSP recruited when referred for imaging (n = 120). Electronic survey about demographic factors, management people had had (including imaging, injections, surgery, exercise, adjuncts), and beliefs about treatments. The frequency of various treatments was reported (separately for each cohort and traumatic onset) as well as the timing of interventions related to first-line care.

Results: Most people had tried exercise (99/120, 82.5%) but only one in five people reported exercise was helpful, and one in six reported it was unhelpful or made their symptoms worse. Approximately a third of the cohort reported not receiving activity modification advice (34.2%, 41/120), those that did received inconsistent information. People with both traumatic (imaging 31/43, 72.1%; injections 13/24, 54.2%, surgery 8/21, 38.1%) and atraumatic onset pain (imaging 43/77, 55.8%; injections 31/51, 60.8%, surgery 4/19, 21.1%) had similarly high rates of intervention prior to trialling conservative management. Patient beliefs in regards to management showed trends towards interventionalist care.

Conclusion: Patient reported management of RCRSP is often inconsistent with guideline recommended management.

Citation

Smythe, A., Rathi, S., Pavlova, N., Littlewood, C., Connell, D., Haines, T., & Malliaras, P. (2021). Self-reported management among people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: An observational study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 51, Article 102305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102305

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 14, 2020
Online Publication Date Nov 20, 2020
Publication Date 2021-02
Deposit Date Nov 8, 2024
Journal Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
Print ISSN 2468-7812
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 51
Article Number 102305
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102305
Keywords Management, Rotator cuff, Rotator cuff related shoulder pain, Rotator cuff tendinopathy, Shoulder
PMID 33249362