The presentation and outcomes of shoulder pain in public hospital physiotherapy departments in NSW: an observational study

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the type of shoulder conditions presenting to public physiotherapy departments and the outcomes of such presentations.

Methods: Demographic, diagnostic, and outcome data were collected from people with shoulder pain presenting to 10 public outpatient physiotherapy services in NSW, Australia, from 1 April 2007 to 30 September 2007. Pearson's correlation and paired T tests were used to determine relationships and significance of changes in the defined outcomes.

Results: One hundred fifty-three people were included in this study. The most common presentations based on physiotherapist's diagnoses were rotator cuff tear, impingement, and postfracture rehabilitation. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were demonstrated in outcome measures across all diagnostic groups, with average improvements: self-reported visual analogue scale (39.2 mm (±25.3)); flexion range (38.2° (±33.6)); hand behind back range (8.0 cm (±9.2 cm)); and global perceived effect (3.4 (±1.3)). These improvements occurred during an average of 6.7 treatment sessions.

Conclusions: Physiotherapy in NSW Public Health settings manages a wide variety of shoulder conditions with benefits observed across all patient presentations and diagnoses.

Keywords: Impingement; physiotherapy; rotator cuff tear; shoulder fractures; shoulder pain; shoulder surgery.