The shoulder blade or scapula plays an important role in optimal function of the shoulder joint. The scapula provides the foundation for both stability and force generation through the arm during athletics and daily activities. Weakness in the scapular muscles can lead to abnormal posture and movement or dyskinesis in the scapula during arm movements. ...
We have previously written about the move away from arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal tears and knee arthritis based on surgery’s limited effectiveness in the medical research. In addition, these surgeries have not been able to show greater outcomes than placebo or sham surgery. Until recently, studies have not utilized a comparable placebo group to...
Evidence demonstrates equal long term outcomes between Physical Therapy and surgery for non traumatic rotator cuff tears. Patient’s most appropriate for surgical repair include patients with larger tears, greater disability and limitations with arm use, and those with a low expectation for recovery with conservative care. Among those patients opting for surgical interventions up to...
Poor movements patterns at the shoulder blade (scapular dyskinesis) is quickly becoming the over pronation of the upper extremity. Although associated with a number of shoulder diagnoses including rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy, and impingement many questions remain. We observe these patterns of movement in both strong and weak individuals, as well as, those with and...
Shoulder pain remains one of the most common reasons patients seek out care from both primary care physicians and Physical Therapists. Shoulder impingement or the compression of shoulder tissues, including the rotator cuff tendons and bursa, is the most common diagnoses behind these patients’ symptoms. Physical Therapy remains a gold standard treatment for this condition...
Shoulder pain remains one of the most frequent reasons patients seek care from a Physical Therapist. Although many diagnoses create symptoms in the shoulder region, rotator cuff tendon pain is one of the most common. Descriptions of tendon pain such as tendinitis are being disproven by the research due to a lack of inflammatory process...
In previous blogs we have written on the recent research documenting the lack of differences between sham surgery and surgery for spinal and knee conditions. For example, in the case of arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee meniscal tears the evidence does not support its’ use due to its’ inability to perform better than sham knee...
The shoulder blade and upper arm bone move together to produce a variety of arm and hand movements essential for life and sport. Proper movement of the shoulder blade is required to produce normal mechanics at the joint surfaces and maintain the length and function of the shoulder blade and shoulder muscles. Abnormal mechanics between...
Shoulder pain remains one of the most common reasons patients seek out the care of both their primary care physician and Physical Therapist. The most common cause of shoulder pain remains subacromial impingement or the compression of soft tissues including the rotator cuff tendons within the shoulder joint. Physical Therapy including joint manipulation and mobilization,...
Shoulder pain is the 2nd most common orthopedic reason patients seek out medical care behind low back pain. Shoulder pain has many causes including lack of mobility, shoulder blade and rotator cuff weakness, but posture is often criticized as a risk factor for shoulder pain. Clinicians and patients believe a poor posture places structures such...