The impact of cervical radiculopathy on functionality and quality of life in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair.

The innervation of the rotator cuff muscles by cervical nerve roots suggests a possible association between cervical radiculopathies and rotator cuff disorders. This study aims to examine the functional status and quality of life of patients with cervical radiculopathy who have undergone rotator cuff surgery (RC), compared to those without cervical pathology.The study included 50 patients who underwent rotator cuff surgery between 2018 and 2023, with a mean age of 53.74 ± 6.58 years; 54% were female. Participants were evenly divided into two groups: patients with cervical radiculopathy and those without. Following demographic data collection, assessments were performed on shoulder and cervical range of motion limitations, shoulder muscle strength, functional status (modified Constant-Murley score and neck disability index), quality of life (SF-36), hand grip strength (Jamar hand dynamometer), and pain threshold values at the deltoid, upper trapezius, and coracoacromial arch (algometer). Significant differences were observed between groups in shoulder internal rotation (p = .003), modified Constant-Murley score (p = .050), pain threshold values (upper trapezius p = .036; deltoid and coracoacromial arch p = .001), and SF-36 subscales: pain (p = .014), physical functioning (p = .004), physical health (p = .009), emotional problems (p = .041), energy-fatigue (p = .048), and general health (p = .020). No significant differences were found regarding shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength, and SF-36 subscales of emotional well-being (p = .101), social functioning (p = .057), and health changes (p = .305). The findings indicate that patients undergoing RC repair demonstrated improved shoulder pain threshold, functional status, and quality of life compared to those with cervical radiculopathy; however, shoulder and grip strength showed no difference.