The shoulder joint is one of the most complex and mobile joints in the human body, and is also prone to various injuries and painful afflictions.
Injuries and conditions of the shoulder joint can be divided into several categories
Depending on the stage of injury:
- acute stage,
- subacute stage
- chronic stage.
Depending on the structure of the injury:
- muscle, tendon and ligament injuries
- joint capsule injuries
- bone tissue injuries.
Due to frequent use of the shoulder joint during daily activities, painful points in the muscles and changes in the joint itself can occur. One of the most prominent afflictions of the shoulder is the so-called swimmer’s or pitcher’s shoulder , which basically sets in by overusing the shoulder muscle through certain movements.
Most frequent injuries of the shoulder joint:
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Tendon rupture (m. biceps brachii, m. supraspinatus, shoulder rotator cuff)
- Enthesitis
- Luxations and subluxations of the shoulder joint
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Swimmer’s or pitcher’s shoulder
- Arthroses
- Dislocations of the shoulder joint
- Fractures
Diagnostic procedure for shoulder pain
Evaluation (assessment) of the condition
An individual examination performed by a doctor and chartered physiotherapist aimed at determining the cause of the affliction. By applying specialised diagnostic procedures along with anthropometric measurements (range of motion, extremities reach, MMT), we can determine the cause of pain. The goal of the assessment is to reach a medical and physiotherapy diagnosis.
Physiotherapy diagnosis is a thorough report made by a specialist of physiotherapy with a detailed description determined through a previous evaluation.
An individual treatment and rehabilitation plan is created after formulating a diagnosis, depending on the type and degree of injury. The application of machine techniques alongside manual techniques ensures a full scope of rehabilitation aimed at maximising the effect of treatment..
Treatment plan and programme
Any injury or painful condition is treated individually. Treatment plans can depend on time constraints and the cause of the condition.
In the acute stage with pain and swelling, a wide spectrum of machine techniques is applied, like High intensity laser treatment (HILT) , interference current, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and Tecar machines . Specially designed pain relievment therapy through these machines has proven itself effective in alleviating pain in acute stages.
During the subacute and chronic stages, when pain is not in the forefront but there still exists a functional impediment of the shoulder joint , the main goal is to restore joint functionality through applying various manual techniques along with kinetic therapy and shock wave treatment . One of the more significant manual techniques is the Mulligan concept , applied individually and often alongside kinetic taping and neuromuscular kinetic taping, by our certified chartered physiotherapist. Shockwave treatment is the most effective method of removing calcification, which is the chief issue in chronic afflictions of the shoulder joint
