The Impact of Physiotherapy in the Recovery of Shoulder Disorders Before & After Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of structured rehabilitation programs upon the treatment and control of shoulder musculoskeletal disorders from a perspective of physical education/sport injuries. Four patients with separate shoulder injuries (rotator cuff strain, shoulder bursitis/subacromial, frozen shoulder, and ligament sprain-grade II) were examined prior to and at the conclusion of an individualized physiotherapy intervention at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic affiliated with the College of Physical Education/Sport Sciences, University of Garmian.

The treatment protocols used a combination of electrophysical modalities (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation [TENS], Therapeutic Ultrasound, Infrared Therapy, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy [ESWT]) and progressive therapeutic exercise programs designed specifically for each patient's diagnosis and functional status. Outcome measures included the use of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and a goniometric measurement of the shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM).

The mean pain reduction on the VAS was approximately 77% and the average increase in the shoulder abduction ROM was approximately 80° across all four cases. Results of this study provide clear evidence that individualized, evidence-based physiotherapy effectively provides substantial functional improvement for sport-related shoulder injuries when it is initiated early, thus supporting the physiotherapy profession's role in physical education and sport injury rehabilitation as a conservative first-line approach..