Soft tissue injuries of the shoulder

Question 1

Define adhesive capsulitis

Answer 1

“Frozen shoulder” Idiopathic, progressive shoulder pain

Question 2

What is the connective tissue involved in adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 2

Bones: Humerus, Glenoid fossa of scapula

Connective tissue: Joint capsule

Question 3

How long do the 3 stages of adhesive capsulitis last

Answer 3

Freezing: 2-10 months
Frozen: 4-12months
Thawing: 2-24 months

Question 4

What is the lay terms for adhesive capsulitis

Answer 4

Freezing, frozen, thaw

Question 5

Freezing

Answer 5

constant intense pain and decreased ROM

Question 6

Frozen

Answer 6

Pain only with mov’t, decreased shoulder motion and substitute motions in the scapula, and atrophy of shoulder muscles

Question 7

Thawing

Answer 7

No pain but significant capsular restrictions, sometimes cannot regain normal ROM

Question 8

Name the exercises that is common during the acute stage of both rotator cuff impingement and adhesive capsulitis?

Answer 8

Pendulum exercises

Question 9

Clinical implications (Impairments and Limitations) for adhesive capsulitis

Answer 9

Impairments: Night pain, Decreased ROM ex. ER, ABd, IR, Fl., Muscle stiffness
Limitations: Inability to reach, Difficulty with ADLs and lifting weighted objects

Question 10

Define rotator cuff impingement

Answer 10

Mechanical compression and irritation of soft tissues: Supraspinatus and subacromial bursa