Pain intensity and functional limitation are not related with medical image findings in patients with shoulder pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain limits patients' ability to perform daily life activities, as well as to carry out professional activities. This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between pain intensity, incapacity and medical image findings of patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: This was an observational analytical study with 54 patients with possible shoulder injury. Participants have answered an incapacity questionnaire, a pain intensity scale and then were submitted to image exams. Incapacity, pain intensity and image diagnosis were correlated, in addition to comparing pain intensity and level of incapacity among participants with and without medical image abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean pain intensity was 7.4±2.52. There has been a high degree of incapacity (mean of 57.2%). Image findings have shown abnormalities in 59.3% of reports. There has been no correlation between image findings and pain intensity, as well as there has also been no correlation between image findings and incapacity. There has been high correlation between pain intensity and incapacity (Rho=0.67; p<0.001). Pain intensity and incapacity were not different between participants with and without some type of abnormality at image exams. CONCLUSION: Patients with shoulder complaints may have limitations to perform daily activities and pain, even with negative image findings...