The shoulder is a very shallow ball and socket joint with very few ligaments. It gets most of its protection and stability from the Rotator Cuff Muscles.
It is the tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff that often get injured and torn and require our treatment and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation of the shoulder, whether post injury or surgery is often very similar.
The initial phase is the healing phase, when the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder need to heal. This requires rest. This may involve protective taping or the wearing of a sling for between two to six weeks.
During this time it is important to prevent the shoulder from stiffening up and the development of a ‘Frozen’Shoulder.
This is achieved with the patient performing gravity assisted “Pendula” exercises and the therapist performing Passive movement techniques to maintain a normal range.
Once tendon healing has occurred the program is progressed to Active-Assisted exercises.
This is where the patient initiates active use of the shoulder with assistance.
The assistance maybe from the other arm, a pulley or Hydrotherapy. Here the buoyancy of the water helps the patient move the arm.
Once the healing progresses further exercises progress to Active use where movement is unassisted.
Eventually exercises are progressed to Resisted exercises. Movement is against a resistance which maybe in the form of an elastic band or weights.
As each patient is different the programs need to be progressed specific to each patient.
Following severe injury or complicated reconstructive surgery this process may take three to six months.
Early and correct management following injury or surgery can greatly reduce rehabilitation and recovery time
