Impact of shoulder complaints after neck dissection on shoulder disability and quality of life

Objective To explore relationships between shoulder complaints after neck dissection, shoulder disability, and quality of life. To find clinical predictors for mid‐ to long‐term shoulder disability. Study Design Prospective. Patients and Methods Shoulder pain, shoulder mobility, and shoulder droop, as well as scores on shoulder disability questionnaire and RAND‐36 (quality of life), were measured at baseline, discharge (T1), and 4 months postoperatively (T2) on 139 patients admitted for neck dissection to major head and neck centers in the Netherlands. Results Shoulder mobility was significantly decreased at T1 and did not improve. Significant relationships between shoulder function, shoulder disability score, and RAND‐36 domains were found. Two clusters of clinical symptoms could be identified as independent predictors for shoulder disability. Conclusions Objective deterioration in shoulder function after neck dissection is associated with perceived shoulder disability and related to physical functioning and bodily pain. Predictors for shoulder disability can be found.