Physical weariness in the left shoulder due to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair impaired a fishing movement: fishing movement and function of the supraspinatus muscle

Abstract

In fishing, the act of moving the rod while winding in the line is called the rattling operation. Here we present a case of shoulder stiffness that occurred during rattling in a patient who earlier had had a rotator cuff repair by arthroscopy. The rattling movement is performed by mild external rotation of the shoulder joint. Our case had difficulty performing the movement due to a decrease in the function of the supraspinatus muscle, and stiffness was occurring on the upper surface of the left shoulder. This also negatively influenced our case’s fishing results. Physical therapy involving stimulation of the supraspinatus muscle was performed, paying attention not to over exercise the upper trapezius muscle fibers. With improvement in the function of the supraspinatus muscle, the rattling movement became possible, the stiffness disappeared, and our case’s fishing results improved. The rattling movement is highly dependent on rotator cuff function.