Shoulder pain out of the way
Take Home Messages:
Rotator cuff syndrome is a painful shoulder condition that reduces a patient’s ability to function in the workplace and daily life.
Exercise, combined with physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications, is a beneficial treatment for rotator cuff syndrome.
Shock-wave therapy and ultrasound therapy are ineffective treatments for rotator cuff syndrome.
Why the study matters:
Rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder is a common disorder. It is a painful condition caused by impingement or inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder area.
Shoulder complaints are often associated with pain, muscle weakness and restricted range of movement. All these factors can impact the ability of a patient to function in daily life and participate in the workplace.
A previous study found 73% of patients with longstanding rotator cuff syndrome were not able to work full time at their usual job.
Using the best treatment available is important to assist people with this troublesome problem.
What the study involved:
This article evaluated the effectiveness of treatment on improving function and decreasing the duration of sick leave. The researchers reviewed and summarised the findings of 19 articles which studied different treatment methods for rotator cuff syndrome.
Treatment methods reviewed were:
- Physical therapy;
- Shock-wave therapy;
- Medication; and
- Surgery.
The researchers analysed which treatments were effective and the impact these had on functioning and returning to work.
Summary of study findings:
The researchers found that:
- Shoulder exercises combined with physiotherapy are more effective than exercises alone;
- Shoulder exercise is more effective in reducing shoulder limitations than no intervention; and
- Diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) is more effective than pain relief injections on functional limitations and ability to work after 1 year.
In terms of surgical interventions, comparisons of open and arthroscopic acromioplasty showed limited evidence that arthroscopic acromioplasty is more effective in the short term and for return to work, although in the long term there was no real difference between the two.
Shock-wave therapy and ultrasound therapy were both shown to be ineffective treatments for rotator cuff syndrome.
The researchers did not find much data on the effect of treatment on sick leave duration.
Employees with rotator cuff syndrome can benefit from treatment, and should be supported to obtain treatments that have been shown to be effective. Greater range of movement and pain reduction can improve function at work and daily life.
Original research:
Treatment of Impingement Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Effects on Functional Limitations and Return to Work
Faber E, Kuiper JI, Burdorf A, Miedema HS, Verhaar JA.
J Occup Rehabil. 2006 Mar;16(1):7-25. Review.