Acupuncture Therapy for Incomplete Rotator Cuff Tear / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Introduction] We evaluated the efficacy of treatment and clinical characteristics of a patient with incomplete rotator cuff tear with a clinical presentation similar to that of frozen shoulder. It seems difficult to differentiate incomplete rotator cuff tear from frozen shoulder on physical findings alone since the former lacks the specific characteristics of rotator cuff tear. However, many patients with incomplete rotator cuff tears show a poor response to treatment due to mechanical disorders; thus, differentiation of incomplete rotator cuff tear from frozen shoulder may be demonstrated during the patient's clinical course.<BR>[Patient] In this patient, the joint range of motion improved in all directions, and the pain score also improved from 10 to 5, showing reduction of pain. However, the symptoms did not resolve smoothly; frequent remis-sions and exacerbations of symptoms were observed.<BR>[Discussion] We frequently encounter disorders diagnosed as periarthritis scapulohumeralis in daily clinical practice, and patients with such disorders usually respond well to treatment. However, we should realize that a variety of clinical conditions are involved in the disorders, and the clinical courses of patients should be followed closely during treatment.