Improvement in Functional Ability and Quality of Life Takes Place among Patients with Supraspinatus Tendinitis Regardless of the Type of Intervention

Pia Nyman,Esko Mälkiä,Kaj Palenius,Harri Panula,Clas-Håkan Nygård

doi:10.5402/2012/305938

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study is to investigate the functional ability and state of health before and after three different treatments of patients (n=156) with shoulder problems. Design. This is a comparative study using convenience sampling and Shoulder Rating Questionnaire, the Short Form-36 Health Survey self-evaluation questionnaires, and metabolic equivalent (MET), prior to and after intervention. The patients in Group 1 had an arthroscopic operation while Group 2 had an open acromioplasty. The patients in Group 3 had merely received conservative treatment. Results. Improvement has occurred regardless of the type of intervention. However, a change is notable less evident in the Conservative group, which at least in part can be explained by their higher initial scores (measurement 1); their situation has simply been better already from the start, and this is perhaps why they have not been placed onto an operation waiting list. Conclusion. Even if conservative treatment appears to result in comparatively poorer outcomes, the role of physiotherapy should not be disregarded. Physiotherapy cannot replace essential surgical operations, but physiotherapy is able to significantly alleviate patients' experiences of pain.

Highlights

Shoulder pain is the result of many factors, including physical load and the psychosocial work environment [1]
Even if conservative treatment appears to result in comparatively poorer outcomes, the role of physiotherapy should not be disregarded
Seven patients were excluded from the study; five were diagnosed with a massive rotator cuff rupture and deemed inoperable, while two cancelled their scheduled open reconstructions and chose arthroscopic operations instead

Summary

Introduction

Shoulder pain is the result of many factors, including physical load and the psychosocial work environment [1]. Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common cause of shoulder pathology. SIS encompasses several types of subacromial pathology including subacromial bursitis, inflammation of rotator cuff tendons, calcifying tendinitis, or even partial or total rupture of rotator cuff tendons. These various problems may cause similar symptoms and may often be distinguished from one another only through various imaging studies or an arthroscopic examination [3]. The purpose of the treatment is to manage pain and resolve mechanical problems so that function is improved

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion