A survey of current clinical practice in the Physiotherapy management of “Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy” in Ireland

Background: Rotator cuff disease is the most common cause of shoulder pain seen by physicians (Ostor et al. 2005) accounting for 44% to 60% of all complaints of shoulder pain (Michener et al. 2004). This type of study examining what physiotherapists do in managing patient with Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy (RCT) has not yet been carried out in Ireland. Objectives: Determine the current management strategies adopted by chartered physiotherapists in Ireland for RCT patients and to establish if evidence based practice is being exercised amongst Chartered Physiotherapists in Ireland in the management of RCT patients. Methods: Self-administered 16-item questionnaire was developed and piloted. It was distributed and collected via (www.surveymonkey.com). The Study population included 2 clinical interest groups of ISCP including Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (CPPP 300+ members) and Chartered Physiotherapists in Musculoskeletal Therapy (CPMT 362 members). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The estimated minimum response rate for both clinical interest groups was 16.98% (n=107). Exercise and Education are always used both greater than 85% (n=96), Thermal and Electrical Modalities used sometimes to never 77.09% (n=96), Joint Mobilisations and Soft tissue techniques usually used both greater than 50% (n=96). Conclusions: This study established what chartered physiotherapists used in the management of RCT and also found that this current management of RCT broadly was in line with current evidence based practice however awareness of guidelines was limited. References: Michener, L.A., Walsworth, M.K. and Burnet, E.N. (2004) 'Effectiveness of rehabilitation for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review', Journal of hand therapy, 17(2), 152-164. Ostor AJK, Richards CA, Prevost AT, Speed CA, Hazelman BL. Diagnosis and relation to general health of shoulder disorders presenting to primary care. Rheumatology 2005; 44:800–5.