Shoulder & Arm Injuries肩部与手臂损伤

Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that provides stability during movement. An injury may cause a dull ache in the shoulder that worsens when the arm is lifted away from the body. Rotator cuff injuries are common in people whose work or sport involves repetitive overhead movement, including tennis and badminton players. The risk increases with age and often affects people aged 50 or above.

Causes

• Trauma to the shoulder
• Progressive degeneration (wear and tear of tendon or soft tissue)
• Repetitive overhead activity
• Repetitive heavy lifting

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Deep, dull ache in the shoulder
• Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
• Pain at rest and at night, particularly if lying on the affected shoulder
• Difficulty in tying up or combing hair
• Difficulty reaching behind the back

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

• A physiotherapist can assess the condition, support an accurate diagnosis and check for injury to other structures around the shoulder joint.
• They can then tailor a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. This may include:
  • Restoring range of movement and improving shoulder flexibility
  • Improving muscle strength and joint proprioception to reinforce stability
  • Reinforcement of muscle recruitment
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Sports taping
• Rehabilitation can also be function-specific or sport-specific depending on your goals. Our physiotherapists will ensure a safe transition in your recovery to doing what you do best.

Rotator cuff injuries can be debilitating, so it is best to seek help early. Send questions to our Ask a Physiotherapist WhatsApp service at 9899 7967, or call 9126 8257 to arrange an appointment.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become inflamed and tight, causing pain and restricted movement.

Frozen shoulder has three stages.

Freezing

• Pain is worst at this stage. The shoulder does not feel very stiff but it becomes too painful to move the shoulder.

• This stage usually lasts between 6-12 weeks.

Frozen

• Pain is reduced but the shoulder feels stiff and tight. Daily activities such as combing the hair or scratching the back may be difficult.

• This stage usually lasts between 4-6 months.

Thawing

• The shoulder starts to feel less stiff and gradual return of shoulder motion is expected.

• This stage can usually take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.

Causes

• The primary cause is still unknown.

• Frozen shoulder usually affects those between 40-60 years of age. Women have an increased risk as compared to men.

• Previous shoulder injury or surgery puts you at risk of developing frozen shoulder.

• Several medical conditions increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s Disease and obesity.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Dull or achy pain and stiffness around the shoulder joint.

• Difficulty in daily activities such as reaching overhead, combing the hair, reaching for the back pocket or hooking bra.

• Most often, sleeping on the affected shoulder brings on discomfort.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

• Identifying the stage of the condition is important as different stages require different approaches to deal with the symptoms. Whilst an X-Ray/MRI/Ultrasound scan can help with the diagnosis, it is not an absolute necessity. Coupled with a good record of past symptoms, our physiotherapists can carry out a physical examination to accurately identify the stage that the patient is suffering from.

• Depending on the severity, a physiotherapist can customise and guide your management. If pain medication, injections or anti-inflammatory drugs are needed, especially during the freezing stage, they can refer you to a doctor.

• Physiotherapy may include stretching and manual therapy to improve range of motion, especially during the frozen and thawing stages. A physiotherapist can also advise on posture, activity modification and exercises to address remaining movement or strength deficits.

Frequently Asked Questions on Shoulder & Arm Injuries