Shoulder

ROTATOR CUFF TENDINITIS OR FROZEN SHOULDER
The shoulder joint is a ‘ball and socket’ joint and requires the muscles and ligaments surrounding it to be strong and flexible to provide stability and motion. The main muscles are called the ‘rotator cuff’ muscles.
Frozen shoulder and Rotator Cuff tendinits are common conditions treated by Physiotherapists in Singapore. Our team of highly qualified and experienced Singapore physiotherapists can assess your shoulder and use specialised methods of physiotherapy treatment to reduce the pain and improve shoulder movement.

Symptoms

⦁ Sharp pull or pain in the middle of upper arm on sudden movements, like a flash of lightening
⦁ Difficulty raising your arm sideways or forwards or carrying objects
⦁ Putting the arm behind your back
⦁ Pain in mid-range of shoulder movement
⦁ Pain in shoulder lasting for more than a few days
⦁ Swelling or significant bruising around the shoulder or arm
⦁ Shoulder pain that occurs at night or at rest, also disrupting normal sleep patterns
COMMON SHOULDER PROBLEMS AND CAUSES
⦁ Frozen shoulder– It is characterized by pain with significant loss of its range of motion in all directions progressively worsening over a period of time. The capsule around the shoulder joint becomes thickened and inflamed almost causing the shoulder joint to be stuck causing severe stiffness and shoulder pain. It’s common in diabetics and females over 50.
⦁ – Deposits of calcium may appear in the tendon which may cause swelling and tension in the tendon. This can cause a sharp pain.
⦁ Rotator cuff tendonitis, The Painful Arc Syndrome or Supraspinatus Impingement:  Rotator cuff muscles have tendons to attach to the arm bone, but these tendons travel between of the shoulder joint and therefore commonly get pinched or injured and then inflamed, especially the Supraspinatus tendon is one of the most injured.
⦁ Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the shoulder joint and also the neck
⦁ Shoulder and collar bone fracture
⦁ Shoulder instability or Weakness- occurs when the shoulder joint capsule or ligament and muscles that surround the shoulder joint do not maintain the ball within its socket. It may cause the joint to be loose and slip out of its position on and capsule pain and instability

COMMON CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN

⦁ Rotator Cuff Tendon inflammation
⦁ Biceps Tendon inflammation
⦁ An outstretched arm or directly onto the shoulder
⦁ Fracture or shoulder labral tear
⦁ Repetitive use and wear and tear
⦁ Bursitis- The sac of fluid that cushions the tendon can also be damaged
⦁ Exercises with overhead weight lifts done with wrong techniques
⦁ Shoulder dislocation or subluxation
⦁ Poor posture
⦁ Poor Breathing patterns

PHYSIOTHERAPY AT OUR CENTRE

It is important in the early stages to prevent the condition from becoming more complex with rapid loss of muscle strength and stability around the shoulder blade and shoulder. If prolonged it may lead to Frozen shoulder, Neck Pain, headaches.
Physiotherapy for shoulder depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Hence, it is important to understand the cause of your symptoms before starting a treatment program which may include:
Radial Shockwave Therapy: This involves application of very high energy shockwaves to the area to be treated, commonly for chronic rotator cuff tendinitis or frozen shoulder. It increases the circulation to the area thereby increasing body’s healing response, metabolism and thus reduces inflammation. Usually only 3-5 sessions are required.
⦁ Laser: Used for much localised area of pain to reduce pain and increase micro-circulation.
⦁ Taping: Applying adhesive tape to the skin to reduce the strain on the tissues
⦁ Exercise Therapy: Includes muscle stretches to maintain the shoulder movements and strengthening program for the neck and shoulder, to improve overall stability and control

General Treatments

⦁ Interferential Therapy: Stimulates the muscle n nerve fibres to reduce pain and inflammation
⦁ Ultrasound:  Decreases tissue inflammation and reduces pain and swelling.
⦁ Shortwave Diathermy: Reduces pain and muscle spasm
⦁ Ergonomics Tips and Advice: Advice on improving neck and spine posture to reduce pressure on the various parts of the shoulder.