Background Disorders that affect shoulder complex have been associated with increased upper trapezius muscular activity [1]could have result in mechanical restrains in cervical spine where muscles origin. It would be possible decreased mobility and increased disability in shoulder can be lead to neck symptoms such as pain and disability.

Objectives To investigate the neck pain and disability presence and its relation to shoulder related symptoms and disability status in shoulder disorders.

Methods Sixteen patients with shoulder pain (Mean±Standard Deviation; X±SD; pain during activity 3±2.9 cm, age 43.1±14.6 years) without any other injury, diagnosis related to spine or systematic disorders were included to the study. Also, the subjects were excluded if existence of neck pain was prior to shoulder pathology. Shoulder pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest, during activity and at night. Shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external range of motion was assessed with standard goniometer [2]. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) was used with the aim of scoring disability status related to shoulder [3]. Neck pain severity was also evaluated by using VAS scale and disability related to cervical spine was scored with Neck Disability Index (NDI) [4]. Statistical correlations were determined by using the Spearman test and p<.05 was set to indicate a significant correlation.

Results Average severity of neck pain was .75±1.3 at rest, 1.9±2.1 during activity, .5±1.4 at night and NDI disability score was 18.04±21.79 in patients with shoulder disorders. Significant correlations were found between neck disability and shoulder abduction range of motion (X±SD; 140.6±33.8; r=-.50 p=.04), SPADI-pain score (r=.912, p<.001), SPADI-disability score (r=.658, p=.006) and total SPADI score (r=.781, p<.001).

Conclusions This study showed that neck pain without any injury would appear in patients with shoulder pain. Shoulder elevation angle and disability would be associated with neck pain. In clinical setting neck pain and problems should be assessed in patients with shoulder disorders. Further research with bigger sample size and with more focus on the underlying mechanism of neck pain in such population are needed.

1. Ludewig, P.M. and T.M. Cook, Alterations in shoulder kinematics and associated muscle activity in people with symptoms of shoulder impingement. Phys Ther, 2000. 80(3): p. 276-91.

2. Hayes, K., et al., Reliability of five methods for assessing shoulder range of motion. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 2001. 47(4): p. 289-294.

3. Bumin, G., E.H. Tüzün, and E. Tonga, The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI): Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 2008. 21(1): p. 57-62.

4. Yakut, E., et al., Validation of the Turkish version of the Oswestry Disability Index for patients with low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2004. 29(5): p. 581-5; discussion 585.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared