Living with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear ‘bad days, bad nights’: a qualitative study

Catherine J Minns Lowe,Karen Barker,Jane Moser

doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-228

Abstract

BackgroundRotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain. There is an absence of information about symptomatic rotator cuffs from the patients’ perspective; this limits the information clinicians can share with patients and the information that patients can access via sources such as the internet. This study describes the experiences of people with a symptomatic rotator cuff, their symptoms, the impact upon their daily lives and the coping strategies utilised by study participants.MethodsAn interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used. 20 participants of the UKUFF trial (The United Kingdom Rotator Cuff Surgery Trial) agreed to participate in in-depth semi-structured interviews about their experiences about living with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear. Interviews were digitally recorded and fully transcribed. Field notes, memos and a reflexive diary were used. Data was coded in accordance with interpretive phenomenological analysis. Peer review, code-recode audits and constant comparison of data, codes and categories occurred throughout.ResultsThe majority of patients described intense pain and severely disturbed sleep. Limited movement and reduced muscle strength were described by some participants. The predominantly adverse impact that a symptomatic rotator cuff tear had upon activities of daily living, leisure activities and occupation was described. The emotional and financial impact and impact upon caring roles were detailed. Coping strategies included attempting to carry on as normally as possible, accepting their condition, using their other arm, using analgesics, aids and adaptions.ConclusionsClinicians need to appreciate and understand the intensity and shocking nature of pain that may be experienced by participants with known rotator cuff tears and understand the detrimental impact tears can have upon all areas of patient’s lives. Clinicians also need to be aware of the potential emotional impact caused by cuff tears and to ensure that patients needing help for conditions such as depression are speedily identified and provided with support, explanation and appropriate treatment.

Highlights

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain
This article aims to describe the experiences of people with a known rotator cuff tear, their symptoms and the impact upon their daily lives and the coping strategies utilised by participants
There are three main sections: the identification and description of the symptoms caused by known rotator cuff tears, the impact that these tears had upon the lives of the participants followed by coping strategies that participants used to help them live with their rotator cuff tears

Summary

Introduction

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain. There is an absence of information about symptomatic rotator cuffs from the patients’ perspective; this limits the information clinicians can share with patients and the information that patients can access via sources such as the internet. There is an absence of information about symptomatic rotator cuff tears from the patients’ perspective which limits the information clinicians can share with patients. One recent Finnish study describes the experience of patients’ diagnosed with supraspinatus tendonitis problems, reporting pain as the predominant attribute of shoulder problems [12] (six focus groups, three pre and three post different types of treatment (n = 21) individuals). Qualitative research regarding rotator cuff tears remains highly limited

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