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

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.

Dynamic thoracohumeral kinematics are dependent upon the etiology of the shoulder injury

“…Nevertheless, the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with shoulder pain involves not only knowing the diagnosis, but also assessing the impact of the injury on joint function. In effect, alterations in shoulder function have a critical impact on the performance of basic daily activities [ 2 , 3 ]. Moreover, there is no consistent correlation between the injury itself and the patient’s functional status [ 4 , 5 ], hence the importance of having techniques to assess the evolution of a patient’s functional status in a clinical context [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Reliability and validity of the Thai version of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (Thai SPADI)

“…The prevalence can rise to 72.2 % in specific populations such as dental personnel [ 3 ]. It could produce disability or disturb activity of daily living and sleep quality [ 4 , 5 ]. The shoulder disability questionnaire is a useful tool for clinicians to evaluate and follow up patient’s symptoms after treatment.…”

Neurectomy preserves fast fibers when combined with tenotomy of infraspinatus muscle via upregulation of myogenesis

“…Interrelationships between the 6 cellular and the 10 molecular variables were calculated on the basis of a Pearson correlation analysis of the measures from all 36 (biopsy) sample points and considered significant if they passed Bonferroni‐corrected P ‐values of 0.05, calculated by dividing the estimated P ‐value by the number of unique comparisons. χ Was used to identify whether an association effect existed between fiber type and the localization of the protein of interest (CaMKII, myoD). G‐tests were then used to localize the effect.…”

“…Full or partial tears of rotator cuff tendons occur relatively frequently, affecting 2 in 5 persons over 60 years of age . Consequently, some functions of the upper extremities, specifically the hand, may be severely deteriorated . Untreated full‐thickness tendon tears lead to degeneration of the released muscle through the loss of muscle fibers/contractile material and a relative increase in fat cells, which may irreversibly affect shoulder function.…”