Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions globally. One of the main causes of shoulder pain is Rotator Cuff Disorder (RCD). Conservative treatments such as physiotherapy are the most recommended in the treatment of RCD. Hence, there are variations in strategies applied by various practitioners. Nevertheless, research evidence and recommendations in updated guidelines provide directions to physiotherapists on which approaches to include in their regimens for patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted through Google Form. The responses were organized in Excel and analyzed using SPSS 26 to obtain percentages and number of participants.
Results: 208 physiotherapists completed the survey. Therapeutic exercises (n=77/208), mobilization and manual therapy techniques (n=49/208), advices and education (n=32/208) were the most common treatment modalities for patients with RCD. The most physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia recommended home program, to do exercises with some level of pain or with no pain and the period of recovery for 6 weeks but they did not recommend the surgery for their patients with RCD.
Conclusion: Therapeutic exercises were the most used treatment modalities in the treatment for RCD in Saudi Arabia, which is in line with current scientific evidence. Although there was a lack of consensus in advices and education for treating rotator cuff patient and in expected recovery period, which indicate that more focus is mandatory on these aspects in managing rotator cuff patient.
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The Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research is a bi-monthly multidisciplinary medical journal.