The prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain in people with traumatic brain injury participating in inpatient rehabilitation and to compare the clinical presentation with that of people with stroke.


METHODS
A prospective comparative study.


METHODS
Six metropolitan rehabilitation units.


METHODS
Eighty-seven people with traumatic brain injury and 52 people with stroke took part in the study.


METHODS
Assessment of shoulder pain, range of motion, strength and function was conducted on admission and, for the subjects with traumatic brain injury, at discharge if rehabilitation exceeded two weeks.


RESULTS
The prevalence of shoulder pain in people with traumatic brain injury was 62%, which was comparable with the 69% of subjects with stroke that experienced shoulder pain (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.34 -1.5). Fracture in the shoulder complex and passive shoulder external rotation range of motion were the best predictors for shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury. This was different from the subjects with stroke for which the best predictors were passive shoulder flexion range of motion and length of acute hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a relatively high prevalence of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury. Trauma to the shoulder complex contributes to shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury, making clinical presentation different from people with stroke. The findings support the need for greater attention in the management of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury.
Leung
Joan
J
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, Ryde, NSW, Australia. leungj@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Moseley
Anne
A
Fereday
Sarah
S
Jones
Taryn
T
Fairbairn
Timothy
T
Wyndham
Shirley
S
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology