Could long-term overhead load in painters be associated with rotator cuff lesions? A pilot study.

Publisher: Public Library of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101285081 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19326203 NLM ISO Abbreviation: PLoS One Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science

Range of Motion, Articular* ; Severity of Illness Index*; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; Risk Assessment/*methods ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/*epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Germany/epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paintings ; Pilot Projects ; Risk Factors

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Background: Use of the arm above shoulder level has been described as a risk factor for developing rotator cuff tears (RCT). There is a lack of information regarding the frequency and distribution of RCT in a population using their arms above shoulder level during daily work. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and radiographic findings in a population of painters working more than 10 years and to compare the results with a control group (CG).
Materials and Methods: 100 individuals working more than 10 years as a painter were compared to 100 matched controls without using their arms above shoulder level. MRI scans were performed in all participants. Clinically, the Constant score, DASH score and range of motion (ROM) of the shoulders were analyzed.
Results: In the painter group (PG) a tear of the supraspinatus tendon was detected in 45% (10%full-thickness; 35% partial) compared to 8% in the (CG) (3% full-thickness; 5%partial; p<0.001). Impingement test was painful in 52% of PG and 7% of CG (p<0.001). The Constant score in the PG was significantly lower compared to the CG (62 vs. 93 points; p<0.001). PG had significantly worse DASH scores and inferior active and passive ROM of the dominant shoulders. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, three risk factors (smoking, sports activity, and handedness) showed no effect. However, group membership (PG/CG) and age revealed a significant effect.
Conclusion: Long-term occupational load on the shoulders in painters seems to be associated with an increased risk for developing RCT. Our findings may provide support for developing preventive strategies for this unique cohort. Level of evidence: III.

Erratum in: PLoS One. 2019 Jun 12;14(6):e0218484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218484. (PMID: 31188880)

Eur J Radiol. 2014 Oct;83(10):1843-9. (PMID: 25082477)
Occup Environ Med. 2005 Jan;62(1):18-27. (PMID: 15613604)
J Sci Med Sport. 2016 Jan;19(1):56-63. (PMID: 25481481)
Med Sport Sci. 2012;57:10-17. (PMID: 21986041)
Occup Environ Med. 1999 Jul;56(7):494-8. (PMID: 10472322)
J Orthop Res. 2014 Jul;32(7):952-7. (PMID: 24700399)
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2003 Mar-Apr;12(2):122-7. (PMID: 12700562)
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009 Feb;91(2):196-200. (PMID: 19190053)
Occup Environ Med. 2004 Oct;61(10):844-53. (PMID: 15377771)
Med Sport Sci. 2012;57:18-26. (PMID: 21986042)
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1998 Jun;(351):95-101. (PMID: 9646752)
J Orthop Res. 1988;6(2):230-8. (PMID: 3343629)
Pain. 2000 Jun;86(3):305-10. (PMID: 10812260)
J Occup Environ Med. 2008 Sep;50(9):1062-76. (PMID: 18784555)
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004 Apr;86(4):708-16. (PMID: 15069134)
Br J Sports Med. 2008 Feb;42(2):80-92; discussion 92. (PMID: 17720798)
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983 Mar;(173):70-7. (PMID: 6825348)
Acta Orthop Scand. 1996 Oct;67(5):485-90. (PMID: 8948256)
Am J Ind Med. 1996 Jun;29(6):602-8. (PMID: 8773720)
J Orthop Res. 1988;6(1):123-8. (PMID: 3334732)
Occup Environ Med. 2000 Jul;57(7):433-42. (PMID: 10854494)
Occup Med (Lond). 2006 Jun;56(4):243-50. (PMID: 16627547)
Scand J Work Environ Health. 2006 Apr;32(2):99-108. (PMID: 16680380)
Int J Sports Med. 2001 May;22(4):275-9. (PMID: 11414670)
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1987 Jan;(214):160-4. (PMID: 3791738)
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2008 Nov-Dec;17(6):881-5. (PMID: 18774738)
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Aug;88(8):1699-704. (PMID: 16882890)
Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Oct;50(10):3314-22. (PMID: 15476229)
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014 Apr;23(4):536-41. (PMID: 24480324)
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010 Jun;468(6):1534-41. (PMID: 19283436)
J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999 Jul-Aug;8(4):296-9. (PMID: 10471998)

Dryad 10.5061/dryad.56b3j7c

Date Created: 20190316 Date Completed: 20191211 Latest Revision: 20200309

20250114

PMC6420001

10.1371/journal.pone.0213824

30875391