Therapeutic Exercise for the Shoulder: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The primary aim in treating shoulder conditions through conservative management is to reduce pain and improve function, and exercise rehabilitation is usually the cornerstone of this conservative management plan. The goal of exercise as part of the physiotherapy management is to correct modifiable physical impairments thought to contribute to pain and dysfunction, rather than to treat the pathology. Therapeutic exercise is commonly used in the treatment and management of a range of shoulder disorders and is supported by much research.
The primary aim in treating shoulder conditions through conservative management is to reduce pain and improve function, and exercise rehabilitation is usually the cornerstone of this conservative management plan. The goal of exercise as part of the physiotherapy management is to correct modifiable physical impairments thought to contribute to pain and dysfunction, rather than to treat the pathology. Therapeutic exercise is commonly used in the treatment and management of a range of shoulder disorders, is commonly advocated to address dysfunctions in mobility, posture, muscle activation, proprioception and strength and is supported by much research.  


== The Evidence ==
== The Evidence ==
Exercise has a useful role to play and incorporating loaded exercises is safe and not detrimental to outcome<ref name=":0">Littlewood C, Ashton J, Chance-Larsen K, May S, Sturrock B. [[Exercise for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review.]] Physiotherapy. 2012 Jun 1;98(2):101-9.</ref>.  In rotator cuff tendinopathy, both home and supervised exercise programmes have been found to be more effective than no intervention or placebo and as effective as minimal comparators, e.g. functional brace, or active comparators, e.g. multimodal physiotherapy, surgery<ref name=":0" />.   
Exercise has a useful role to play and incorporating loaded exercises is safe and not detrimental to outcome <ref name=":0">Littlewood C, Ashton J, Chance-Larsen K, May S, Sturrock B. [[Exercise for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review.]] Physiotherapy. 2012 Jun 1;98(2):101-9.</ref>.  In rotator cuff tendinopathy, both home and supervised exercise programmes have been found to be more effective than no intervention or placebo and as effective as minimal comparators, e.g. functional brace, or active comparators, e.g. multimodal physiotherapy, surgery <ref name=":0" />.   


More recently, there has been increasing interest in exercise rehabilitation as a means to manage partial and full thickness tears of the rotator cuff by specifically addressing weakness and functional deficits. Recent studies have suggested that patients opting for physiotherapy have demonstrated high satisfaction, an improvement in function, and success in avoiding surgery<ref name=":1">Edwards P, Ebert J, Joss B, Bhabra G, Ackland T, Wang A. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827371/ Exercise rehabilitation in the non-operative management of rotator cuff tears: a review of the literature]. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2016 Apr;11(2):279.</ref><ref name=":2">Ainsworth R, Lewis J, Conboy V. [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1758-5740.2009.00010.x/epdf A prospective randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive rotator cuff tears of the shoulder]. Shoulder & Elbow. 2009 Jul 1;1(1):55-60.</ref>.
More recently, there has been increasing interest in exercise rehabilitation as a means to manage partial and full thickness tears of the rotator cuff by specifically addressing weakness and functional deficits. Recent studies have suggested that patients opting for physiotherapy have demonstrated high satisfaction, an improvement in function, and success in avoiding surgery <ref name=":1">Edwards P, Ebert J, Joss B, Bhabra G, Ackland T, Wang A. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827371/ Exercise rehabilitation in the non-operative management of rotator cuff tears: a review of the literature]. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2016 Apr;11(2):279.</ref><ref name=":2">Ainsworth R, Lewis J, Conboy V. [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1758-5740.2009.00010.x/epdf A prospective randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive rotator cuff tears of the shoulder]. Shoulder & Elbow. 2009 Jul 1;1(1):55-60.</ref>.


However, optimal parameters of exercise and load have yet to be determined as has the mechanism by which therapeutic response occurs<ref name=":0" />.   
Consensus on dosage, frequency, method of delivery, acceptable pain tolerance, inter-exercise activity levels, and specific exercise inclusion has not been achieved.<ref>Haahr JP, Andersen JH. Exercises may be as efficient as subacromial decompression in patients with subacromial stage II impingement: 4-8-years' follow-up in a prospective, randomized study. Scand J Rheumatol. 2006;35:224-8.</ref><ref>Ketola S, Lehtinen J, Rousi T, Nissinen M, Huhtala H, Konttinen YT, et al. No evidence of long-term benefits of arthroscopicacromioplasty in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome: Five- year results of a randomised controlled trial. Bone & joint research. 2013;2:132-9.</ref><ref>Kukkonen J, Joukainen A, Lehtinen J, Mattila KT, Tuominen EK, Kauko T, et al. Treatment of non- traumatic rotator cuff tears: A randomised controlled trial with one-year clinical results. The bone & joint journal. 2014;96-B:75-81.</ref><ref>Lewis J. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain: assessment, management and uncertainties. Manual therapy. 2016 Jun 1;23:57-68.</ref>. Optimal parameters of exercise and load have yet to be determined as has the mechanism by which therapeutic response occurs <ref name=":0" />.   


== Effect of Exercise ==
== Principles of Therapeutic Exercise ==
It is unknown exactly why exercise was beneficial and has been suggested that the effect of exercise may be multi-factorial<ref name=":1" />. This may include:
[[File:Principles of Therapeutic Exercise.png|none|thumb|700x700px|Principles of Therapeutic Exercise <ref>McEvoy J, O’Sullivan K, Bron C. Therapeutic exercises for the shoulder region. Manual Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes: An Evidence-and Clinical-Informed Approach. 2015 Apr 28;373.</ref>]]
* influence on pain modulation
 
* providing a therapeutic effect on the structurally damaged rotator cuff muscles and tendons
== Effect of Therapeutic Exercise ==
* placebo
It is unknown exactly why exercise was beneficial and has been suggested that the effect of exercise may be multi-factorial <ref name=":1" />. This may include:
* muscular compensation for deficient movement strategies
* Influence on pain modulation
* Providing a therapeutic effect on the structurally damaged rotator cuff muscles and tendons
* Muscular compensation for deficient movement strategies
* Psychological benefits such as reducing fear of movement
* Psychological benefits such as reducing fear of movement
* Placebo


== Exercise Prescription ==
== Exercise Prescription ==
It is well accepted that training and educating patients on improving scapular stability, proper neuromuscular control of shoulder girdle and thoracic posture is essential in a well designed rotator cuff exercise program<ref name=":1" />. '''NEED SOMETHING HERE ON SCAPULOHUMERAL RHYTHM - see Edwards article.'''
It is well accepted that training and educating patients on improving scapular stability, proper neuromuscular control of shoulder girdle and thoracic posture is essential in a well designed rotator cuff exercise program <ref name=":1" />. Scapulohumeral rhythm, the kinematic interaction between the scapula and the humerus, is important for optimal function of the shoulder <ref name=":4">Kibler WB. The role of the scapula in athletic shoulder function. Am J Sports Med 1998;26:325-337 '''Level of Evidence: 3B'''</ref>. Changes in the position of the scapula relative to the humerus can occur secondary to pain, soft tissue tightness, altered muscle activation, strength imbalances, muscle fatigue, and thoracic posture, which can result in abnormal scapular kinematics, dysfunction of the scapulohumeral rhythm and potentially lead to shoulder pain <ref name=":1" />. The scapular stabiliser muscles ensure the scapula remains a stable basis from which the rotator cuff muscles can act, adjusting the glenoid fossa in relation to the humeral head during upper limb movements. Alterations in scapular position and control afforded by the scapula stabilizing muscles are believed to disrupt stability and function of the glenohumeral joint <ref name=":4" /><ref>Cleland J: A lecture on the shoulder girdle and its movements. Lancet 1881;1:11-12.</ref><ref>Smith J et al., Effect of scapular protraction and retraction on isometric shoulder elevation strength. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:367–70. '''Level of evidence: 3B'''.</ref>, thereby contributing to shoulder instability, subacromial, and rotator cuff related shoulder pain <ref name=":1" /><ref>Codman EA: The Shoulder,Boston: G.Miller &amp Company,1934</ref>. Altered muscular activity or strength, and changes in the timing properties of the serratus anterior the upper, middle and lower portions of the trapezius are frequently observed in individuals with subacromial related shoulder pain and/or exhibiting rotator cuff tears. <ref name=":1" />


Recent EMG studies have indicated that rotator cuff muscles are recruited in a reciprocal, direction-specific pattern during shoulder flexion and extension exercises. Wattanaprakornkul et al<ref>Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Cathers I, Ginn KA. [https://sro.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/10765/143401/2/Wattanaprakornkul_et_al.pdf Direction-specific recruitment of rotator cuff muscles during bench press and row]. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2011 Dec 1;21(6):1041-9.</ref><ref>Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Boettcher C, Cathers I, Ginn KA. A comprehensive analysis of muscle recruitment patterns during shoulder flexion: An electromyographic study. Clinical Anatomy 2011;24:619–26.</ref> demonstrated that during flexion, the posterior externally rotating cuff muscles (supraspinatus and infraspinatus) were activated at significantly higher levels than the anterior internally rotating cuff muscle (subscapularis), while during extension the reverse occurs. This muscle contraction in a reciprocal direction-specific manner supports the role of the rotator cuff as shoulder joint dynamic stabilizers to counterbalance antero-posterior translation forces and that the rotator cuff provides shoulder joint support by preventing flexion and extension prime movers of the humerus e.g. the deltoid, from translating the humeral head on the glenoid fossa.  This EMG knowledge gives us more information to specifically target the rotator cuff muscles in different positions and ranges of movement.
Recent EMG studies have indicated that rotator cuff muscles are recruited in a reciprocal, direction-specific pattern during shoulder flexion and extension exercises. Wattanaprakornkul et al <ref>Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Cathers I, Ginn KA. [https://sro.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/10765/143401/2/Wattanaprakornkul_et_al.pdf Direction-specific recruitment of rotator cuff muscles during bench press and row]. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2011 Dec 1;21(6):1041-9.</ref><ref>Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Boettcher C, Cathers I, Ginn KA. A comprehensive analysis of muscle recruitment patterns during shoulder flexion: An electromyographic study. Clinical Anatomy 2011;24:619–26.</ref> demonstrated that during flexion, the posterior externally rotating cuff muscles (supraspinatus and infraspinatus) were activated at significantly higher levels than the anterior internally rotating cuff muscle (subscapularis), while during extension the reverse occurs. This muscle contraction in a reciprocal direction-specific manner supports the role of the rotator cuff as shoulder joint dynamic stabilizers to counterbalance antero-posterior translation forces and that the rotator cuff provides shoulder joint support by preventing flexion and extension prime movers of the humerus e.g. the deltoid, from translating the humeral head on the glenoid fossa.  This EMG knowledge gives us more information to specifically target the rotator cuff muscles in different positions and ranges of movement.


The [http://www.bobbyainsworth.com/datafiles/TorbayCuffProtocol.pdf Torbay Protocol], developed and trialled by Roberta Ainsworth initially as a pilot study and then in an RCT for a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears of the shoulder<ref name=":2" /> provides guidelines for the physiotherapy rehabilitation of these patients.
The [http://www.bobbyainsworth.com/datafiles/TorbayCuffProtocol.pdf Torbay Protocol], developed and trialled by Roberta Ainsworth initially as a pilot study and then in an RCT for a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears of the shoulder <ref name=":2" /> provides guidelines for the physiotherapy rehabilitation of these patients.


See demonstrations of the exercises in the Torbay Protocol here:
See demonstrations of the exercises in the Torbay Protocol here:

Revision as of 02:45, 5 February 2018

Original Editor - Rachael Lowe

Top Contributors - Rachael Lowe, Naomi O'Reilly, Shreya Pavaskar, Kim Jackson, Claire Knott, Wanda van Niekerk and Ahmed M Diab  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The primary aim in treating shoulder conditions through conservative management is to reduce pain and improve function, and exercise rehabilitation is usually the cornerstone of this conservative management plan. The goal of exercise as part of the physiotherapy management is to correct modifiable physical impairments thought to contribute to pain and dysfunction, rather than to treat the pathology. Therapeutic exercise is commonly used in the treatment and management of a range of shoulder disorders, is commonly advocated to address dysfunctions in mobility, posture, muscle activation, proprioception and strength and is supported by much research.

The Evidence[edit | edit source]

Exercise has a useful role to play and incorporating loaded exercises is safe and not detrimental to outcome [1]. In rotator cuff tendinopathy, both home and supervised exercise programmes have been found to be more effective than no intervention or placebo and as effective as minimal comparators, e.g. functional brace, or active comparators, e.g. multimodal physiotherapy, surgery [1].

More recently, there has been increasing interest in exercise rehabilitation as a means to manage partial and full thickness tears of the rotator cuff by specifically addressing weakness and functional deficits. Recent studies have suggested that patients opting for physiotherapy have demonstrated high satisfaction, an improvement in function, and success in avoiding surgery [2][3].

Consensus on dosage, frequency, method of delivery, acceptable pain tolerance, inter-exercise activity levels, and specific exercise inclusion has not been achieved.[4][5][6][7]. Optimal parameters of exercise and load have yet to be determined as has the mechanism by which therapeutic response occurs [1].

Principles of Therapeutic Exercise[edit | edit source]

Principles of Therapeutic Exercise [8]

Effect of Therapeutic Exercise[edit | edit source]

It is unknown exactly why exercise was beneficial and has been suggested that the effect of exercise may be multi-factorial [2]. This may include:

  • Influence on pain modulation
  • Providing a therapeutic effect on the structurally damaged rotator cuff muscles and tendons
  • Muscular compensation for deficient movement strategies
  • Psychological benefits such as reducing fear of movement
  • Placebo

Exercise Prescription[edit | edit source]

It is well accepted that training and educating patients on improving scapular stability, proper neuromuscular control of shoulder girdle and thoracic posture is essential in a well designed rotator cuff exercise program [2]. Scapulohumeral rhythm, the kinematic interaction between the scapula and the humerus, is important for optimal function of the shoulder [9]. Changes in the position of the scapula relative to the humerus can occur secondary to pain, soft tissue tightness, altered muscle activation, strength imbalances, muscle fatigue, and thoracic posture, which can result in abnormal scapular kinematics, dysfunction of the scapulohumeral rhythm and potentially lead to shoulder pain [2]. The scapular stabiliser muscles ensure the scapula remains a stable basis from which the rotator cuff muscles can act, adjusting the glenoid fossa in relation to the humeral head during upper limb movements. Alterations in scapular position and control afforded by the scapula stabilizing muscles are believed to disrupt stability and function of the glenohumeral joint [9][10][11], thereby contributing to shoulder instability, subacromial, and rotator cuff related shoulder pain [2][12]. Altered muscular activity or strength, and changes in the timing properties of the serratus anterior the upper, middle and lower portions of the trapezius are frequently observed in individuals with subacromial related shoulder pain and/or exhibiting rotator cuff tears. [2]

Recent EMG studies have indicated that rotator cuff muscles are recruited in a reciprocal, direction-specific pattern during shoulder flexion and extension exercises. Wattanaprakornkul et al [13][14] demonstrated that during flexion, the posterior externally rotating cuff muscles (supraspinatus and infraspinatus) were activated at significantly higher levels than the anterior internally rotating cuff muscle (subscapularis), while during extension the reverse occurs. This muscle contraction in a reciprocal direction-specific manner supports the role of the rotator cuff as shoulder joint dynamic stabilizers to counterbalance antero-posterior translation forces and that the rotator cuff provides shoulder joint support by preventing flexion and extension prime movers of the humerus e.g. the deltoid, from translating the humeral head on the glenoid fossa. This EMG knowledge gives us more information to specifically target the rotator cuff muscles in different positions and ranges of movement.

The Torbay Protocol, developed and trialled by Roberta Ainsworth initially as a pilot study and then in an RCT for a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears of the shoulder [3] provides guidelines for the physiotherapy rehabilitation of these patients.

See demonstrations of the exercises in the Torbay Protocol here:

CAN WE ADDRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF DELTOID?

Mode of Delivery[edit | edit source]

Both group and individual physiotherapy interventions which incorporate exercise aim to reduce pain and disability, but a consensus is a lack of evidence for the most effective mode of treatment delivery for people for exercise rehabilitation in musculoskeletal pain. Although it is clear that group and individual physiotherapy interventions that incorporate exercise are better than minimal or no treatment, it remains unclear whether either is better than the other[15]. O'Keeffe et al[15], in a broad study of exercise for musculoskeletal pain, found only small, clinically irrelevant differences in pain or disability outcomes between group and individual physiotherapy, and concluded that group interventions may need to be considered more often given their similar effectiveness and potentially lower healthcare costs. Specifically to the shoulder, recent evidence suggests that group exercise classes can improve shoulder pain and disability in people with non-specific shoulder pain[16].

What about Pain?[edit | edit source]

There is a lot of disagreement in relation to pain with exercises. Should exercises be painful during rehabilitation? If yes, then how much pain is ok? If no, then will our patients who are very irritable be limited in their ability to participate in any exercise program and what impact will that have on their management? 

Smith et al[17] suggest that, in the short term, protocols using painful exercises for musculoskeletal conditions offer a small but significant benefit over pain-free exercises, however in the medium and long term the evidence is lacking. Pain during therapeutic exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain need not be a barrier to successful outcomes. NEEDS MORE FROM THE ARTICLE 

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Littlewood C, Ashton J, Chance-Larsen K, May S, Sturrock B. Exercise for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2012 Jun 1;98(2):101-9.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Edwards P, Ebert J, Joss B, Bhabra G, Ackland T, Wang A. Exercise rehabilitation in the non-operative management of rotator cuff tears: a review of the literature. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2016 Apr;11(2):279.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ainsworth R, Lewis J, Conboy V. A prospective randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of a rehabilitation programme for patients with a diagnosis of massive rotator cuff tears of the shoulder. Shoulder & Elbow. 2009 Jul 1;1(1):55-60.
  4. ↑ Haahr JP, Andersen JH. Exercises may be as efficient as subacromial decompression in patients with subacromial stage II impingement: 4-8-years' follow-up in a prospective, randomized study. Scand J Rheumatol. 2006;35:224-8.
  5. ↑ Ketola S, Lehtinen J, Rousi T, Nissinen M, Huhtala H, Konttinen YT, et al. No evidence of long-term benefits of arthroscopicacromioplasty in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome: Five- year results of a randomised controlled trial. Bone & joint research. 2013;2:132-9.
  6. ↑ Kukkonen J, Joukainen A, Lehtinen J, Mattila KT, Tuominen EK, Kauko T, et al. Treatment of non- traumatic rotator cuff tears: A randomised controlled trial with one-year clinical results. The bone & joint journal. 2014;96-B:75-81.
  7. ↑ Lewis J. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain: assessment, management and uncertainties. Manual therapy. 2016 Jun 1;23:57-68.
  8. ↑ McEvoy J, O’Sullivan K, Bron C. Therapeutic exercises for the shoulder region. Manual Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes: An Evidence-and Clinical-Informed Approach. 2015 Apr 28;373.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kibler WB. The role of the scapula in athletic shoulder function. Am J Sports Med 1998;26:325-337 Level of Evidence: 3B
  10. ↑ Cleland J: A lecture on the shoulder girdle and its movements. Lancet 1881;1:11-12.
  11. ↑ Smith J et al., Effect of scapular protraction and retraction on isometric shoulder elevation strength. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:367–70. Level of evidence: 3B.
  12. ↑ Codman EA: The Shoulder,Boston: G.Miller &amp Company,1934
  13. ↑ Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Cathers I, Ginn KA. Direction-specific recruitment of rotator cuff muscles during bench press and row. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2011 Dec 1;21(6):1041-9.
  14. ↑ Wattanaprakornkul D, Halaki M, Boettcher C, Cathers I, Ginn KA. A comprehensive analysis of muscle recruitment patterns during shoulder flexion: An electromyographic study. Clinical Anatomy 2011;24:619–26.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 O'Keeffe M, Hayes A, Mccreesh K, Purtill H, O'sullivan K. Are Group-Based And Individual Physiotherapy Exercise Programmes Equally Effective For Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2016 Jun 24:Bjsports-2015.
  16. ↑ Barrett E, Conroy C, Corcoran M, O'Sullivan K, Purtill H, Lewis J, McCreesh K. An Evaluation Of Two Types Of Exercise Classes, Containing Shoulder Exercises Or A Combination Of Shoulder And Thoracic Exercises, For The Treatment Of Nonspecific Shoulder Pain: A Case Series. Journal Of Hand Therapy. 2017 Dec 4.
  17. ↑ Smith BE, Hendrick P, Smith TO, Bateman M, Moffatt F, Rathleff MS, Selfe J, Logan P. Should exercises be painful in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Jul 12:bjsports-2016.
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