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Frozen
shoulder rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
exercises
Alternative
exercises
Rehabilitation after surgery
When can I return to my sport or activity?
Read more
about frozen shoulder
Rehabilitation
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength
as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition.
That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. Rehabilitation
for frozen shoulder focuses on relieving pain and restoring function and
range of motion to the shoulder.
Non-surgical rehabilitation
includes:
- Pain relievers
- ibuprofen and aspirin, to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain
- Muscle relaxants
- to help relax arm and shoulder muscles
- Physical therapy
- working with a physical therapist to stretch muscles and restore motion
and function to the shoulder
- Heat and ice therapies
- to help relieve pain and reduce swelling
- Corticosteroid
injections - as prescribed and given by your doctor
The major objectives
of rehabilitation from frozen shoulder are to increase flexibility, obtain
pain-free range of motion, and strengthen the muscles of the shoulders,
upper back, front chest, and upper arms. In severe cases, you should avoid
activity that causes shoulder pain altogether. In these cases, you can
still maintain cardiovascular fitness by cycling, unless otherwise prescribed
by your doctor.
Surgery may be needed
if there is no improvement after several months. These procedures can
successfully release and repair the shoulder, but it must be followed
by an exercise program to maintain motion and restore function.
Surgeries include:
- Closed manipulation
Forceful movement of the arm at the shoulder joint to loosen the stiffness
- Arthroscopic surgery
Surgery to improve movement at the shoulder joint
In these cases, your
doctor may prescribe special physical therapy and recovery time will vary.
Rehabilitation exercises
If you have a stiff shoulder, see your physician to make sure you do not
have any internal injury before starting any exercise program. It is important
that you follow your physician's instructions carefully, especially regarding
an exercise program. With your doctor's approval, you can do these simple
exercises to help stretch and keep your shoulder mobile:
- Overhead stretch
Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Lift one arm straight
up and over your head. Grab your elbow with your other arm and exert
gentle pressure to stretch the arm as far as you can.
- Cross-body reach
Stand and lift one arm straight out to the side. Keeping the arm at
the same height, bring it to the front and across your body. As it passes
the front of your body, grab the elbow with your other arm and exert
gentle pressure to stretch the shoulder.
- Towel stretch
Drape a towel over the opposite shoulder, and grab it with your hand
behind your back. Gently pull the towel upward with your other hand.
You should feel the stretch in your shoulder and upper arm.
Alternative exercises
During the period when normal training should be avoided, alternative
exercises may be used. These activities should not require any actions
that create or intensify pain at the site of injury. They include:
Rehabilitation
after surgery
Surgery may be needed if there is no improvement after several months.
These procedures can successfully release and repair the shoulder, but
it must be followed by an exercise program to maintain motion and restore
function. Surgeries include:
- Closed manipulation
Forceful movement of the arm at the shoulder joint to loosen the stiffness
- Arthroscopic surgery
Surgery to improve movement at the shoulder joint
When your doctor decides
you are ready, you may start range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.
You may be referred to a physical therapist to assist you with these exercises,
and under no circumstance should you return to sports activity until your
shoulder is fully healed.
A physical therapy
program usually begins with range-of-motion and resistive exercises, then
incorporates power, aerobic and muscular endurance, flexibility, and coordination
drills.
When can I return
to my sport or activity?
Return to full participation should be avoided until your frozen shoulder
has healed, full range of motion has returned, and you can perform all
skills and other requirements of your sport without pain.
Remember: the goal
of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as
is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury,
which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at
a different rate. Return to your activity is determined by how soon your
frozen shoulder recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since
your injury occurred.
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