INTRODUCTION TO SHOULDER INJURIES
Shoulder pain is reported to be the third most prevalent orthopedic condition. 1 Due to the complexity of the shoulder girdle, it is usually a problem that requires some level of professional intervention to restore function. Clinics can impact new patient traffic and overall revenue by creating specialized programs to address common shoulder conditions like chronic impingement, thrower’s shoulder, cuff pathology, and frozen shoulder.
Shoulder pain is unique because…
It’s Complex The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. 2 It requires multiple muscles and joints to work in harmony to allow normal function. Most patients presenting with shoulder pain have problem lists that require skilled intervention. Restoring glenohumeral rhythm is not an intuitive process for most patients and usually requires treatment components that cannot be addressed independently. These problems rarely fix themselves.
It Impacts Daily Function Patients use their arms a lot. Having a painful shoulder can impact everything from sleeping to any activity that requires overhead motion. Shoulder pain is a commonly reported reason for having to miss work. 1 Abnormal mechanics tend to worsen with time which frustrates most patients. This makes them a highly motivated patient population and places a premium on having treatment options that impact pain quickly, as it is paramount to improving shoulder function.
It Takes Time Shoulder problems often require longer plans of care due to a variety of factors that include: poor blood flow to tendinous structures, time required to build strength of the cuff musculature, time required to re-educate scapular muscles, and the challenges restoring motion at the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic complexes. These extended plans of care are highly desirable for most clinics but, if not managed well, can lead to higher rates of patient self-discharge.
Its Prognosis Several studies have reported that only 50% of patients presenting with shoulder pain achieve complete recovery after six months and only 60% after 12 months. 3 Given the challenges these patients represent, plans of care need to be optimized and evidence-based whenever possible.
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