Dry Needling in Post-operative Shoulder Pain

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INCLUSION OF TRIGGER POINT DRY NEEDLING INTO A MULTIMODAL PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM FOR POST-OPERATIVE SHOULDER PAIN

Fractures of the proximal humerus account for between 5% and 8% off all reported fractures. Post-operative shoulder pain is highly frequent. Due to either surgical procedure, soft tissues surrounding the shoulder area can be damaged. The purpose of the current clinical trial was to compare the effects of physiotherapy versus physiotherapy plus TrP-DN on pain and function in patients who exhibit post-operative shoulder pain after a PHILOS procedure for proximal humeral fixation or rotator cuff tear repair.

Inclusion Criteria:

• proximal humeral fracture
• rotator cuff tear
• open reduction and internal fixation with PHILOS© plate (Synthes, Switzerland)
• rotator cuff tear repair
• post-operative shoulder pain
• active TrPs in the neck-shoulder muscles

Exclusion Criteria:

• no active TrPs
• multiple fracture
• previous surgery
• cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy
• diagnosis of fibromialgia
• having undergone any physical therapy intervention in the year before the surgery
• fear of needles
• any contraindication for dry needling