Relationships of Preoperative Thoracic Kyphosis and Scapular Alignment with Postoperative Pain in Patients with Rotator Cuff Injuries

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the associations between preoperative thoracic spine and scapular alignment and postoperative pain in patients with rotator cuff tears. [Participants and Methods] The study included 32 patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The study variables included basic information, thoracic kyphosis angle, scapular alignment, resting pain, nighttime pain, and shoulder elevation pain assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and at 12 weeks postoperatively. We examined the temporal changes in pain intensity from baseline to 12 weeks postoperatively, and the association between preoperative alignment related to the VAS for shoulder elevation pain at 12 weeks postoperatively. [Results] The VAS for shoulder elevation pain was significantly lower at 12 weeks postoperatively compared to preoperatively. The preoperative factor associated with shoulder elevation pain at 12 weeks postoperatively was thoracic kyphosis angle. [Conclusion] Postoperative pain was associated with an increased preoperative thoracic kyphosis angle.