A rotator cuff injury affecting the prognosis of a patient with myofascial pain

Abstract

Shoulder pathology occurs most commonly in food service workers, who repetitively perform motions of the upper limbs. About 85% of patients who visit pain clinics complain of nonarticular musculoskeletal impairments. Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the common, painful musculoskeletal disorders characterized by the presence of trigger points in muscles at discrete places. Here is a case presenting with symptoms of myofascial pain of the upper trapezius; on clinical examination, ultrasonographic findings were diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury delaying her recovery. This also highlights the importance of clinical examination of ipsilateral shoulder joint whenever the patient presents with myofascial pain involving upper back.