The Relationship Between Fatigue and Functionality in Rotator Cuff Tears

ABSTRACT

Aim: Rotator cuff tear is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders leading to shoulder pain. This study was conducted to examine the effect of fatigue on shoulder functionality in rotator cuff tears.

Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients, aged between 18-65 years, with rotator cuff tears were included in the study. Shoulder fatigue was questioned using the Visual Analog Scale. Shoulder functionality was assessed with the Simple Shoulder Test (SST). The conformity of the variables to the normal distribution was obtained by analytical (Kolmogorov Smirnov test) and visual (histogram and probability graphs) methods.

Results: 31% of the participants are men and 69% are women, and the average age was calculated as 51.59 ± 10.66 years. A moderate negative correlation was obtained between fatigue and SST's pain (r: -0.413, p: 0.002) and strength (r: -0.435, p: 0.001) sub-parameters, while a weak and negative correlation was found between daily living activities (r: -0.352, p: 0.010) and total SST score (r: -0.275, p: 0.048). Conclusion: A relationship was found between shoulder fatigue seen in patients with rotator cuff tears and altered shoulder functions

Key words: Rotator cuff tear, fatigue, functionality, rehabilitation, shoulder injuries