Journal of Pain & Relief
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Until now, no study has investigated the neuropathic pain component in patients with a rotator cuff tear (RCT). The aim of the study was to identify the neuropathic pain component in patients with RCT and to determine the factors correlated with neuropathic pain in patients with RCT. Methods: We prospectively studied 134 patients with full-thickness tears requiring arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. We use the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale self-report version (LANSS) pain scale and Douleur neuropathique 4 questions (DN4) to assess neuropathic pain. The visual analogue scale (VAS) at admission and a VAS for the most severe pain within 4 weeks before admission and mean pain level during the last 4 weeks were checked. The atrophy grades of the rotator cuff muscle were classified on magnetic resonance images according to the Goutallier classification. The size of the RCT was measured and classified into small (<1 cm), medium (1â��3 cm), large (3â��5 cm), and massive (>5 cm) during arthroscopic repair for RCT. Results: The severest VAS pain within the last 4 weeks was 6.35 �± 1.37. Eight (6%) of the 134 patients were diagnosed with likely neuropathic pain by both instruments. A weak correlation was detected between male sex and neuropathic pain (r=0.284, p=0.001), between smoking and neuropathic pain (r=0.513, p<0.001), and between tear grade and neuropathic pain (r=0.237, p=0.006). No correlation was detected between neuropathic pain and age, symptom duration, dominant arm, VAS at admission, severest VAS within the last 4 weeks, mean VAS in the last 4 weeks, or the Goutallier classification. Conclusion: The prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with a RCT requiring arthroscopic repair was 6% according to the LANSS pain scale and the DN4. Neuropathic pain in patients with a full-thickness RCT was more relevant in males with large tears and those who smoked. It is important to consider the existence of neuropathic pain when treating a patient with RCT pain.

Biography

Email: bong@cu.ac.kr