Functional outcomes of conservative management in rotator cuff tendinitis in a teritiary hospital in south India

Background: Tendinitis of the rotator cuff and the shoulder impingement are considered to be common intrinsic causes of shoulder pain and disability. They are characterized by pain and painful arc of abduction and signs of impingement. A combination of treatment modalities have been used, physiotherapy such as manual therapy and exercise is often used in the management of rotator cuff diseases. There are only a few studies which throw light on conservative management of rotator cuff tendinitis. Objectives: To study the functional Outcomes of Conservative Management in Rotator Cuff Tendinitis. Methods: In the year 2017 to 2018, a total of 53 cases of rotator cuff tendinitis were selected through systematic random sampling and given conservative management. A prospective study of outcome following conservative treatment of 53 patients with rotator cuff tendinitis has been studied. The outcome measures were assessed with clinical improvement in pain, range of movements and SPADI questionnaire. The patients were followed up for a period of 6 months and were evaluated according to clinical improvement in pain, range of movements and with SPADI questionnaire taken before and after conservative management. Results: In the total pool of 53 patients taken together at a mean follow up of 3.8 months there was mean increase in the range of abduction by 25.8 degrees, adduction by 8.40 degrees, flexion by 20.38 degrees, extension by 7.83 degrees, external rotation by 16.89 degrees and internal rotation by 17.55 degrees. The SPADI functional outcome measurement showed decrease in pain % by 13.08%, disability by 11.95% and total SPADI 11.43%. With an overall percentage of improvement being 73.58% of the total group. Conclusion: The results of our study re-enforces the fact that conservative management is optimal in the management of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis. A combination of Short course NSAIDS and 3 phase physiotherapy has been found effective in management of the condition.