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Effectiveness of Therapeutic Ultrasound in Adhesive Capsulitis.  Fall 2008

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) compared with placebo US in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic US in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that US compared with sham US gives no relevant benefit in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Effectiveness of US might be masked by worse pre-treatment values of the US group and higher exercise compliance of the sham US group.

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Muscle Strength After Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: Arthroscopic Versus Open Bankart Repair.  Fall 2007
Background: A number of reports have been made on the muscle strength at the last follow-up after arthroscopic or open Bankart repairs. Few have analyzed the change over time in muscle strength and compared the changes between different operative methods. Hypothesis: Muscle strength recovers faster after arthroscopic Bankart repair than after open Bankart repair, and the final muscle strength is not different between the 2 procedures.
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Rehabilitation of Scapular Muscle Balance: Which Exercises to Prescribe?  Fall 2007
Background: Strengthening exercises for the scapular muscles are used in the treatment of scapulothoracic dysfunction related to shoulder injury. In view of the intermuscular and intramuscular imbalances often established in these patients, exercises promoting lower trapezius (LT), middle trapezius (MT), and serratus anterior (SA) activation with minimal activity in the upper trapezius (UT) are recommended.
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Steroids cause the same tissue changes as tendon injury.  Spring 2007
Patients who get a steroid injection in their shoulder for rotator cuff pain relief or improved shoulder function should not return to their regular activities or start physical therapy for a few weeks.
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Rehabilitation of the Rotator Cuff: An Evaluation-Based Approach.  Winter 2006
Rotator cuff disease of the shoulder, a common condition, is often incapacitating. Whether nonsurgical or surgical, successful management of rotator cuff disease is dependent on appropriate rehabilitation. Numerous rehabilitation protocols for the management of rotator cuff disease are based primarily on anecdotal clinical observation. The available literature on shoulder rehabilitation, in conjunction with clinical observation that takes into consideration the underlying tissue quality and structural integrity of the rotator cuff, can be compiled into a set of rehabilitation guidelines. The four phases of rehabilitation begin with maintaining and protecting the repair in the immediate postoperative period, followed by progression from early passive range of motion through return to preoperative levels of function.
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Management of Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Fall 2006
Case report: Rehabilitation after shoulder hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) represents a significant challenge to physical therapists.
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Comparison of High-Grade and Low-Grade Mobilization Techniques in the Management of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: Randomized Controlled Trial  Summer 2006
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of high-grade mobilization techniques (HGMT) with that of low-grade mobilization techniques (LGMT) in subjects with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.
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The Prevalence of Inappropriate Muscle Sequencing in Recurrent Shoulder Instability.  Summer 2005
Objective: To demonstrate that inappropriate sequencing of activation of shoulder muscles can cause shoulder instability.
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Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: The Effect of Changing Posture on Shoulder Range of Movement  Spring 2005
Objective: To investigate the effect of changing thoracic and scapular posture on shoulder flexion and scapular plane abduction range of motion in asymptomatic subjects, and in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome.
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Severe Lymphedema of the Arm as a Potential Cause of Shoulder Trauma.  Spring 2005
Objective: This study was to determine whether lymphedema of the arm is associated with traumatic injury to the shoulder and to assess the role of lymphatic physiotherapy in reducing disabling shoulder pain.
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Physical Therapy Corner: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome  Fall 2004
Article covers basic anatomy, signs and symptoms, causes of neurovascular compression, diagnosis and treatment.
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