[Work capacity of housewives with complete laceration of the rotator cuff].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the this study is to evaluate the work capacity of housewives with full thickness tear of the rotatory cuff (FTTRC).


METHODS
Twenty-five subjects have been studied. The FTTRC was located un the right shoulder in 16 cases, in the left shoulder in 5 cases and was bilateral in 4 patients. All patients were female; the average age was 72.4 +/- 4 (range 62-81). The Assessments were made using the Constant Scale, the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale and the Simon's Test.


RESULTS
The result of this study confirmed that none of the housewives was able to carry out the houseworks quite independently and with no effort. 16% of the patients did the houseworks with great effort while 84% was helped in making some activities. Help is necessary for the usual housework and heavy domestic works (washing glasses, using vacuum cleaner to clean the floor). Patient's relatives provided help in 76.2% of cases while 23.8% were assisted by maid. Help was occasional in 33.3% of cases, continuous in 52.3% and full in 14.4% of patients. Disability resulting from FTTRC is heavier in subjects where electrical household appliances are not used (p < 0.05) and in subjects who feel deep pain (p < 0.05). The active movements of shoulder, local shoulder pain and level of use of upper limbs do not affect domestic works.


CONCLUSIONS
These study showed that FTTRC reduces work capacity of house wives. These disease is more preventing heavy domestic works.
Gialanella
B
B
Fondazione S. Maugeri, Clinica del Lavoro e della Riabilitazione, IRRCS, Centro di Riabilitazione di Gussago (BS), Divisione di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale.
Militello
A
A
Bonomelli
M
M
Santoro
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D014930:Women; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation