Association between Shoulder Dysfunction and Concomitant Neck Disability in Patients with Shoulder Disorders

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Shoulder disorders frequently coexist with neck pain and disability.
• Understanding the relationship between shoulder dysfunction and neck disability is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of shoulder dysfunction on concomitant neck disability in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and frozen shoulder (FS).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of patients with SIS and FS (without cervical radiculopathy) were assessed.
• Evaluations included neck pain prevalence, Neck Disability Index (NDI), shoulder strength/ROM, quick-DASH, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).

Main Results:

• Neck pain prevalence was high in both SIS (60%) and FS (62%) groups.
• 41% of all participants showed significant neck disability (NDI > cutoff).
• Shoulder abduction strength correlated with NDI in SIS; PCS score correlated with NDI in FS.

Conclusions:

• Concomitant neck disability is a significant issue in shoulder disorders.
• Clinical factors linking shoulder dysfunction to neck disability differ between SIS and FS.
• Condition-specific interventions are recommended for managing associated neck disability.