Kinesiophobia could affect shoulder function after repair of rotator cuff tears

Kinesiophobia (fear of movement) is a major limiting factor in the return to pre-injury sport level after surgery of rotator cuff tears. The study aims to gain insights into how kinesiophobia affects shoulder pain and function after the repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate patients who underwent rotator cuff repair between January 2019 and December 2019 in our institution. The patients were divided into a trial group with a high kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia [TSK], TSK > 37) and a control group with a low kinesiophobia (TSK ≤ 37). The indicators of interest included the Constant-Murley scores, numerical rating scale (NRS), visual analogue scale (VAS), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and the American shoulder and elbow score (ASES), shoulder function and strength, and range of motion (ROM) at 3 days, 6 weeks, and 12 months after repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

In total, 49 patients who underwent repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears were enrolled, which was divided into a trial group involving 26 patients (mean TSK 52.54) and a control group involving 23 patients (mean TSK 33.43). There were no statistically significant differences in basic information such as age, gender, and length of stay in the two groups. The preoperative and early postoperative functional scores and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, long-term postoperative follow-up showed no statistically significant difference in ASES, and Constant-Murley scores, OSS, and VAS scores between the two groups as the kinesiophobia changed from positive to negative.

Degree of kinesiophobia reduced during post-operative rehabilitation of rotator cuff repair patients, but high kinesiophobia is still present in a large portion of the patients after rotator cuff repair. Patients after rotator cuff repair will benefit from early recognition and prevention of kinesiophobia.