Shoulder pain in chronic spinal cord injury, Part I: Epidemiology, etiology, and pathomechanics

Review of the literature. Shoulder pain is extremely common in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and is a source of morbidity and functional loss. The purpose of this review is to outline the present knowledge of the epidemiology, etiology, and pathomechanics of musculoskeletal shoul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of spinal cord medicine 2004, Vol.27 (1), p.4-17
Main Authors: Dyson-Hudson, Trevor A, Kirshblum, Steven C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Body Mass Index
Cervical Vertebrae
Chronic Disease
Humans
Incidence
Pain - epidemiology
Pain - etiology
Pain - pathology
Pain - physiopathology
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Distribution
Shoulder - physiopathology
Spinal Cord Injuries - complications
Thoracic Vertebrae
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Summary:Review of the literature. Shoulder pain is extremely common in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and is a source of morbidity and functional loss. The purpose of this review is to outline the present knowledge of the epidemiology, etiology, and pathomechanics of musculoskeletal shoulder pain in individuals with chronic SCI. Review of the literature using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and bibliographies of selected articles. Shoulder pain is more common in individuals with tetraplegia and complete injuries and may occur more frequently in women. Musculoskeletal conditions, primarily injuries to the rotator cuff, are most common. Risk factors include the duration of injury, older age, higher body mass index, the use of a manual wheelchair, poor seated posture, decreased flexibility, and muscle imbalances in the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing muscles. With a better understanding of the epidemiology, etiology, and basic pathomechanics of shoulder pain in SCI, physicians are in a better position to evaluate, treat, and prevent these disorders.
ISSN:1079-0268
DOI:10.1080/10790268.2004.11753724