Factors affecting shoulder pain in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine whether factors affecting shoulder pain in adults with spinal cord injury also affected adolescent and young adult manual wheelchair users with spina bifida.


METHODS
Forty-one participants with spina bifida rated their pain using the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index.


RESULTS
Results showed no significant relationship between shoulder pain and age or duration of wheelchair use but significant differences in pain between age groups. Participation in a sports program and level of lesion were not factors in pain intensity. Propelling up an incline was the activity for which the highest intensity of pain was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Shoulder pain in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida is not as great as previously reported in adults with spinal cord injuries but older subjects had greater pain than younger subjects.
Roehrig
Susan
S
Physical Therapy Program, Arkansas State University, State University, Arkansas 72467, USA. sroehrig@astate.edu
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Gayla
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D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000009:adverse effects*