The POST Study; POsterior Shoulder Tightness in Rotator Cuff Related Disorders

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a very common cause of shoulder pain and normally treated with physiotherapy or surgery. Research has shown that physiotherapy is as effective as surgery, however, the incidence of surgery for this condition is on the rise internationally, nationally and locally. The most effective form of physiotherapy, however, is not known. Laboratory studies have suggested that posterior shoulder tightness may contribute to irritation of the soft tissue around the shoulder joint and perpetuate pain from shoulder impingement syndrome. There is a lack of good quality evidence to support this perspective. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for posterior shoulder tightness in combination with 'best care' compared with 'best care' alone in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. The study will be a randomised, controlled, double blind (patient and assessor), parallel group, feasibility study with 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients awaiting surgery will be assessed for inclusion/exclusion criteria and then randomly allocated into one of two groups. 60 patients will be assigned to receive 'best care' physiotherapy, with or without treatment for posterior shoulder tightness. Physiotherapy treatment will be delivered over 13-15 weeks and outcomes will be assessed at 0, 6-8, 13-15, 26 and 52 weeks. The results will help us to understand if this is an important part of physiotherapy treatment, which might help reduce patient's pain and disability as well as reduce the cost of treatment for the National Health Service.