Test 3- Shoulder impairments Flashcards
Four joints of the shoulder
Scapulothoracic
Sternoclavicular
Acromioclavicular
Glenohumeral
Rhythm of the scapula
2: 1 ratio overall
- During the first 60 degrees of flexion or initial 30 degrees of abduction, the scapula does not move and is seeking position of stability in relation to the humerus
- -> this is called the setting phase
Glenohumeral joint
Joint stability is provided by rotator cuff muscles, long head of biceps brachii and extracapsular ligaments
- labrum is very important because it deepens the fossa
- dislocation will be either due to ligament laxity or ligament tear
Rotator cuff
- Supraspinatus (most common for dislocation and pinching Nn)
- Infraspinatus (second most common for injury)
- Teres minor
- Subscapularis
Supraspinatus function
Supraspinatus is the anchor for the shoulder.
-without it you would not be able to reach beyond 90 degrees of abduction
Force couples
Muscles with opposing actions that work together to produce rotation
- Shoulder abduction: deltoid and RTC
- Upward scap rotation: upper and lower trapezius
Shoulder impingement
Umbrella term that includes rotator cuff tears as well as several shoulder muscle injuries (compressions or tears) that result in impingement
-usually gradual onset from overuse
Common muscles of shoulder impingement
- Suprispinatus, long head of biceps, subacromial bursae, and sometimes the infraspinatus
- All get pinched under subacromial arch
Causes of impingement
- Instability of the glenohumeral joint (weakness or joint laxity)
- Dyskinesia: scapula not moving in correct rhythm with humeral head
- Poor posture
- Arthritis: osteophytes can grow down into the subacromial space and stop muscle from moving fully
- Anatomical predisposition
External vs. internal impingement
- External: rotator cuff, or bursae getting compressed/pinched on the superior surface by the acromion
- Internal: rotator cuff, labrum or capsule getting compressed/pinched on the under surface by the humeral head
SICK scapula
A type of dyskinesia:
- Scapular malposition
- Inferior medial border prominence
- Coracoid pain and malposition
- dysKinesis of scapular motion
Painful Arc
Slow arc of motion (abduction) to find out where pain occurs along arc
-Pain from 60-120 degrees: rotator cuff impingement
Hawkins Kennedy Test
Shoulder flexed to 90 degrees, elbow horizontally flexed to 90 degrees> push down lightly just proximal to elbow joint
-Pain= positive shoulder impingement
Neer Test of Impingement
- Stabilization on shoulder
- Shoulder internal rotation
- Full PROM shoulder flexion
- -> pain= positive sign of shoulder impingement
Full can and empty can test
Hand open as if holding a can, arm extended to 90 degrees, practitioner stabilizes at shoulder pushes down on arm
- Full can = external rotation (supination)
- Empty can= internal rotation (pronation); hurts worse, so always start with full can
- ->test for supraspinatus dysfunction
Drop arm test
Hold arm at 90 degrees and have pt lower arm slow and controlled
- look for pain and smoothness of motion
- ->pain suggests underlying rotator cuff dysfunction
Yergonson’s test for bicep impingement
Stabilize and palpate fot long head of tendon, place thumb over bicipital groove
- Elbow bent at side in 90 degrees with forearm prone
- ->Positive sign= biceps tendon popping out of groove
Speeds test
Pt in full supination with a slight shoulder flexion
- resist forward flexion by applying pressure on forearm
- ->positive sign for impingement= pain
Rotator cuff treatments
- Ice 15-20 minutes
- Sleep with pillow under affected arm
- Pendulums: bent over in prone; swing arm side to side and back to forth
- Strengthening BELOW 90 degrees
- Soft tissue mobilization
- NO active motion after surgery
Codman’s hike
Individuals with shoulder pain or weakness tend to try to lift the shoulder using the shoulder girdle and trunk muscles when reaching overhead
SLAP lesion
Superior Labrum of the Shoulder Joint- tear of the superior head of the biceps head in the labrum of shoulder joint
-will not dislocate, but will cause a lot of pain and discomfort
Frozen shoulder
Capsule inflammation which causes thickening of the ligaments- can be very painful and causes inability to rotate shoulder
-diabetes and hormones can cause this
Adhesive capsulitis
Type of frozen shoulder; traumatic and spontaneous onset
- Freezing phase (most painful> frozen phase> thawing phase
- Ice good, heat bad (inflammatory)
- may take up to 2 years to resolve
- Risk: over 40 y/o, diabetes, immobility, thyroid disease
Adhesive capsulitis phases
- Freezing phase: pain with movement and rest, range starts to decrease
- Frozen phase: shoulder is stiff and there is marked ROM loss but less pain
- Thawing phase: ROM slowly starts to improve