Practical Application of Musculoskeletal Anatomy in Physiotherapy Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries at Lagos Island General Hospital

Rotator cuff injuries constitute a major cause of shoulder disability worldwide, with presentations ranging from rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial tears to complete ruptures. Effective physiotherapy management of these conditions depends on a thorough and practically applied understanding of the anatomy of the rotator cuff muscles, their insertions, bursae, and the subacromial space. Despite this requirement, there is limited evidence evaluating the practical anatomical competence of physiotherapists managing shoulder conditions in Nigerian hospitals. This study aims to assess the practical application of musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge among physiotherapists managing rotator cuff injuries at Lagos Island General Hospital, South West Nigeria. Validated clinical vignettes and structured observation of shoulder assessment techniques will be used to evaluate anatomical reasoning in clinical decision-making. Data will be stratified by postgraduate qualification level and years of clinical experience. The study anticipates producing an evidence-based profile of anatomical competence deficits in rotator cuff physiotherapy practice, which will support the design of anatomy-integrated clinical skills workshops for physiotherapists working at secondary and tertiary health facilities in Lagos State.

Keywords: rotator cuff, musculoskeletal anatomy, physiotherapy, shoulder injury, Lagos