Prevalence and Factors Associated with Shoulder Complex Function (SCF) Among the Elderly in Private Physiotherapy Clinic in Klang Valley, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Shoulder problems have been a challenge among the aging population. Although reports surfaced on factors affecting shoulder dysfunction, however, such studies in relation to other factors like neck pain (NP) factor are limited especially among the elderly in the urban population. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with shoulder complex dysfunction among the outpatient elderly attending private physiotherapy clinics. Methods: A total of 75 elderly aged ≥ 60 years old from four private physiotherapy clinics were recruited by simple random sampling method. The elderly were evaluated using the QuickDASH questionnaire to assess shoulder complex dysfunctions and NP scale. Results: A total of 92% of participants have shoulder complex dysfunction. A positive correlation of NP to shoulder complex dysfunction ( r (75) = 0.83, p<.001) with significant associations of sex ( z= -2.549, p=0.011), smoking ( z= -2.388, p=0.017), lifestyle ( z= -5.780, p=0.000), hypertension ( z= -2.808, p=0.005), osteoarthritis ( z= -2.966, p=0.003), and NP scale ( z= -2.173, p=0.031). The predicting factor of shoulder complex dysfunction is sex (β = 0.156, t (74) = 2.240, p= 0.028) and NP scale (β = 0.704, t (74) = 7.853, p= 0.000). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of shoulder complex dysfunction among the outpatient elderly attending private physiotherapy clinics with a predicting associating factor of sex and NP.

Strength deficits of the shoulder complex during isokinetic testing in people with chronic stroke

OBJECTIVES: To examine the strength deficits of the shoulder complex after stroke and to characterize the pattern of weakness according to type of movement and type of isokinetic parameter. METHOD: Twelve chronic stroke survivors and 12 age-matched healthy controls had their shoulder strength measured using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Concentric measures of peak torque and work during shoulder movements were obtained in random order at speeds of 60°/s for both groups and sides. Type of movement was defined as scapulothoracic (protraction and retraction), glenohumeral (shoulder internal and external rotation) or combined (shoulder flexion and extension). Type of isokinetic parameter was defined as maximum (peak torque) or sustained (work). Strength deficits were calculated using the control group as reference. RESULTS: The average strength deficit for the paretic upper limb was 52% for peak torque and 56% for work. Decreases observed in the non-paretic shoulder were 21% and 22%, respectively. Strength deficit of the scapulothoracic muscles was similar to the glenohumeral muscles, with a mean difference of 6% (95% CI -5 to 17). Ability to sustain torque throughout a given range of motion was decreased as much as the peak torque, with a mean difference of 4% (95% CI -2 to 10). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that people after stroke might benefit from strengthening exercises directed at the paretic scapulothoracic muscles in addition to exercises of arm elevation. Clinicians should also prescribe different exercises to improve the ability to generate force and the ability to sustain the torque during a specific range of motion. .

Avaliação do complexo do ombro em mulheres submetidas à intervenção cirúrgica para tratamento de câncer de mama / Assessing of the shoulder complex in women submitted to surgical intervention for breast cancer treatment

A cirurgia de câncer de mama está associada, em torno de 70% dos casos, a complicações que podem levar à limitação e diminuição da mobilidade do ombro. Considerando as alterações decorrentes das cirurgias mamárias, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma avaliação física do ombro homolateral e contralateral à cirurgia, comparando os resultados obtidos nos dois ombros. Este estudo foi realizado com 21 mulheres submetidas à mastectomia ou quadrandectomia unilateral, incluídas, pelo menos há seis meses, em um programa de reabilitação em fisioterapia. Precedendo o início das avaliações clínicas, uma ficha de avaliação específica para esta população foi desenvolvida, identificando alterações agudas e crônicas. A idade média das pacientes foi 52,10 anos. De acordo com o exame físico, a aderência cicatricial estava presente em 14% das pacientes e o linfedema em 86% destas. Durante a palpação, 95% das pacientes apresentaram dor e pontos-gatilho nos músculos trapézio, esternocleidomastoideo, escalenos e romboides. As medianas da amplitude de movimento do ombro homolateral e contralateral à cirurgia foram: flexão, 130º/154º; extensão, 38º/40º; rotação lateral, 60º/85º; rotação medial, 70º/90º e abdução 115º/145º. De acordo com os resultados, houve uma diminuição significativa em todos os movimentos do ombro homolateral, quando comparado ao contralateral à cirurgia. Diante do exposto, pode-se concluir que a avaliação, por meio da ficha específica, elaborada para pacientes com câncer de mama, foi eficaz para identificar complicações pós-cirúrgicas no ombro desta população. Portanto, esta avaliação foi importante para identificar disfunções físicas, visando à reabilitação e independência nas atividades de vida diária destas mulheres.

The surgery of breast cancer is associated, in around 70% of cases, with complications which can lead to limitation and decrease in shoulder mobility. Considering the changes resulting from breast surgery, the aim of this study was to perform a physical assessment of homolateral and contralateral shoulder surgery, comparing the results obtained in both shoulders. This study was conducted with 21 women undergoing mastectomy or unilateral quadrantectomy including, at least, six months in a physical therapy rehabilitation program. Preceding the onset of clinical assessment, a specific evaluation form to this population was developed, identifying acute and chronic alterations. The average age of patients was 52.10 years. According to the physical examination, there was adherence scar in 14% of patients and in 86% of lymphedema of them. During palpation, 95% of patients had pain and trigger points in trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, scalene and rhomboids. The median of range of motion in homolateral and contralateral shoulder were: flexion, 130º/154º, extension, 38º/40º, external rotation, 60º/85º, medial rotation, 70º/90º and abduction, 115º/145º. According to the results, there were significant decreases in all movements of the homolateral shoulder when they are compared with the contralateral side of surgery. In conclusion, the assessment by the specific form for patients with breast cancer was effective to identify postoperative complications of the shoulder in this population. Therefore, this evaluation was important to identify physical disorders to be aimed at for the these women?s rehabilitation and independence in their daily life activities.