CyberPT Physical Therapy Forum : Shoulder Injuries/Conditions

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : restless, spasm of shoulder/arm

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 15:33:50 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: restless, spasm of shoulder/arm
Posted: Aug 06 2019 at 3:33pm

Hi - Often times after my patients that have separated their shoulder (I am assuming your AC joint in this case) will present with weakness after a period of inactivity of the involved extremity. The musculature which could present with weakness are and are not limited to: rotator cuff muscles, rhomboids, deltoids, biceps etc. Often times they may also test strong but don't have the strength/endurance required for increase activity level after the injury. I would also find trigger points in those muscles as well which need to be addressed. This involves performing techniques involving myofascial release or dry needling to release the trigger points. The weakness and trigger points could contribute to inefficient use of the muscle or muscle group and after increase activity level could contribute to "spasms and twitches". Without physically examining you this is what first came to my mind. I hope this helps.

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : restless, spasm of shoulder/arm

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:23:42 +0000

Author: hthrhrln
Subject: restless, spasm of shoulder/arm
Posted: Jul 31 2019 at 9:23pm

Evening everyone.

Hx: Separated shoulder about 10+ years ago. No surgery, just some PT.

Current: Same shoulder/arm. I haven't had this issue until this year.

After a workout where I use this shoulder/arm I notice, that night, that it feels like it needs to be stretched. Not like it's tight, but like "If you don't stretch me or use me, I will spasm and twitch all night long." Some times it even bothers me before going to bed and sleeping for a couple hours, like tonight. I haven't worked out since yesterday, but I can already feel it coming on ( a lot like RLS).

I eat pretty well. I don't notice more or less dependent on when my nutrition is clean or a had a fun weekend. Fitness Pal says that my potassium is pretty low. Didn't know if it was a vitamin deficiency.

Got a massage today for him to work on it. He did not notice any impingement and it doesn't feel like a pinched nerve. Nothings numb or tingly. Nothing feels painful either. Just restless feeling.

And not happening anywhere else in my body.

I am open to any thoughts as it is becoming quite annoying, especially since it wakes me up often and I already get up at 4:30am to coach people.

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : Broken Collar Bone

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:00:14 +0000

Author: eblclinic
Subject: Broken Collar Bone
Posted: Feb 19 2019 at 4:00am

Hello, you should try these exercises for a broken collar bone
Pendulum exercise: In this exercise, you bend forward at the waist and let your injured arm hang down toward the ground. ...
Grip strength exercise: Squeeze a small ball (a racquetball works well) with gentle but even pressure several times per day.

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : Too much PT pain

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:02:56 +0000

Author: ChristinaB
Subject: Too much PT pain
Posted: Apr 04 2018 at 3:02pm

I am an 80-year old retired RN, general health excellent. I had arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery 3 months ago. The surgeon said my tendons were like "cheesecloth" and the bone "crumbly". PT was delayed till the 2nd month because of my age and the size of the tear - 100%.

I have been going to PT 2xwk for the past 2 months. I have made progress but my concern is that at least the past month, my shoulder is almost always sore with any movement. I know PT does cause soreness but this seems too much and sometimes it is so sore it is hard to exercise at home even though I am very faithfully doing it in spite of the pain.

They have started me with resistance - 1 pound weights - but I find the soreness is so much worse and I am afraid damage is being done and perhaps even a re-tear. The surgeon has asked the therapist, a very young woman, to be less aggressive but she doesn't seem to be doing that.

I have even been thinking of stopping therapy and doing the exercises at home by myself. I am very self-disciplined and self-motivated and know I could do that if I have some guidelines as to which exercises to build on the ones I am doing now. I would rather take a year to do this and not have the constant discomfort whenever I move my arm. I would like comments on this plan - thanks.

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : External Rotation in Shoulder Impingement

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:10:03 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: External Rotation in Shoulder Impingement
Posted: Jul 10 2015 at 5:10pm

Our user asked: "I have shoulder impingement and I want to devise a physical therapy program that includes exercises that involve external rotation. However, I am already doing rear delt exercises on a combination peck-deck rear-delt machine. I don't do these as therapy, but in my regular weight training workouts. My concern is, that I don't want to mimic any external rotation movement that I may be doing already on the rear delt machine. Below are some web links of trainees doing the same rear delt movements I am referring to. So my question is, are these weight trainees accomplishing external rotation with their rear delt machine exercises? Are these rear delt machine good for external rotation? http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/reverse-machine-flyes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gx2LF48rRA"

Ask a PT Response: "Shoulder impingement can be attributed to a number of factors: ie. anatomical/structural (acromion shape), weakness, instability, imbalance, hypermobility, postural, mechanics, etc. One would have to determine the cause of the impingement to determine a plan of care.

The Posterior Deltoid assists with ER but is not considered its main function (primary function is shoulder extension). If you are looking to focus on strengthening external rotators, why not work on strengthening that motion ie. arm at the side and bringing forearm out or in a throwing position bringing arm back with weights or tubing, etc. So to answer your question, if you want to strengthen external rotators the posterior deltoid machine would not be my first choice. For individuals who experience impingement great care should be taken especially with overhead exercises so as to prevent further injury (ie. rotator cuff tear)

Here is a link to some useful info on shoulder impingement syndrome: http://www2.massgeneral.org/sports/pdf/injury%20prevention/tennis%20tips/impingement%20-%20rtc,%20bursitis.pdf "

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : Exercises for shoulder subluxation

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 16:59:03 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: Exercises for shoulder subluxation
Posted: Jul 10 2015 at 4:59pm

Our user asked: "I cannot get the surgery right now, can you direct me to links for any exercises for a right shoulder subluxated humeral head. It's like this from an old injury. It was fine, but evidently I pretty badly aggravated it two weeks ago by driving six hours and keeping my right hand on the top of the steering wheel. Thank you for any assistance."

Ask a PT Response: I hope your shoulder is doing better. With any injury you should always seek live medical attention prior to any self treatment. Here are some links for your condition which patients who are working with physical therapists will follow:

https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/sports-medicine/files/sports-medicine/documents/Nonoperative%20Shoulder%20Dislocation%20Protocol.pdf

http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/sma_shoulder_subluxation_exercises/

http://www.aoaortho.com/media/files/Anterior%20Dislocation-Subluxation%20Conservative.pdf

I hope this helps and wish you the best with your recovery."

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : SC Joint Recovery

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 16:34:28 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: SC Joint Recovery
Posted: Jun 23 2015 at 4:34pm

Our user asked: "Hello, I sustained an anterior Sterno-clavicular dislocation due to a wrestling match. It has healed some, but there is still discomfort and I'm not 100% yet. I was wondering what exercises (types of bands, free weight, etc.) would help speed the process to a full recovery. Certain exercises would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!"

Ask a PT Response: "The SC joint plays a small role with assisting with shoulder ROM. Have you worked with a PT in the past? Often times manual therapy to the joint and the muscles around it may be required to help achieve pre injury level. As far as bands, free weight, etc. - it would be difficult to determine what exercises would be appropriate for you without physically examining you. It may be best if you consult with a live PT so that he or she can perform an evaluation and determine a plan of care which will be tailored to your specific needs."

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : possible torn shoulder ligament

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:21:20 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: possible torn shoulder ligament
Posted: Jun 28 2013 at 1:21pm

Our user asked: "I used to powerlift in the 148lb class many years ago and always had some soreness that I ignored in my right shoulder. It would always fail first when benching, but I was still able to lift heavy and when it would ache, I'd stop and lift lighter for about 8 weeks and it felt much better. It lasted years, but never quite got so bad where I couldn't lift. I've since gotten fat, lazy and weak. I've gained 60lbs from years of driving about as much as a trucker for my job. Recently, I fell with my hands stretched out and messed up my right shoulder. I felt a strong soreness at first, and could move it, but within an hour, I couldn't rotate my arm away from my body, or above my head. I went to the hospital and they x-rayed my shoulder checking to see if the shoulder dislocated. It didn't, so they told me if it still hurts in 2 weeks, come back. It has since been 7 months, and it has healed quite a bit, but it's still very weak, and only recently stopped aching from normal use. I looked up online about ways to figure out what might be wrong, and tried a movement that was suggested. I put my arm behind my back, and tried to move my forearm away from my back. I was not able to, and it was tough even getting my arm in that position. Now I can do the movement, but with much less range of motion than my left arm. I am thinking I may have torn a ligament or tendon, but don't know how to tell, or how to work toward strengthening it without re-injuring it. I want to get back to weight training, but not powerlifting. Should I ease into any movement that uses my shoulder and see how it feels, or should I wait longer without using it? How long does a tendon or ligament take to heal if it's not torn all the way through?"

Ask a PT Response: "From your history you have given, it wouldn't be surprising to me that you may have injured your rotator cuff. Lifting of from behind your back stresses the infraspinatus which is part of the rotator cuff (RC). RC pathology often involves weakness, loss of range of motion and pain. As far as your question of easing into the movement or waiting longer, it would be hard for me to give you advice on this unless I physically examined you. I often would tell my patients to let pain be their guide. Therefore, if it hurts, they should back off or not perform the activity. Once a tendon or ligament is torn, they don't fully heal. Scar tissue will develop which acts like a band aid. If you continue to have problems, I'd recommend you seek out medical attention especially if you'd like to return to lifting."

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : Shoulder/ Pulled Serratus Anterior

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:36 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: Shoulder/ Pulled Serratus Anterior
Posted: May 22 2013 at 9:29pm

Our user asked: "To whom it may concern, I think I have a chronically pulled serratus anterior. For the past 2 years I've experienced muscle pain/tension on my ribs under my armpit (right at the side). I'm also very stiff in the thoracic area associated with serratus/lower traps on the same side, and my breathing on that side feels constricted as well. I'd appreciate any feedback you can provide."

Ask a PT Response: "It is pretty hard to determine what is going on without physically examining you. From what you describe, you may have a stiffness dominant issue at your thoracic spine which may be contributing to your symptoms. I'd recommend you see a manual therapist ie. COMT. He or she will be able to conduct an evaluation and assessment and determine what may be contributign to your symptoms and develop a plan of care specific to your needs."

Edited by Ask a PT - Jun 10 2013 at 10:07am

Shoulder Injuries/Conditions : Torn Rhomboid

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:03:19 +0000

Author: Ask a PT
Subject: Torn Rhomboid
Posted: Feb 25 2013 at 1:03pm

You more than likely have scar tissue built up which may be compromising some of your motion and possibly contributing to some of the popping despite the lighter weight. Try having someone do some deep tissue mobilization on the affected area and see if that helps. You can you tube rhomboid deep tissue to see what I mean.