Shoulder Stabilization

For the first blog topic, I have chosen to write on stabilization, an often-missed component of shoulder health. This topic is pertinent to general shoulder pain and pathology, and specifically to the medical diagnoses of: Multi-Directional Instability (MDI), Rotator Cuff (RC) Repair, pre-operative RC pathology, and partial RC tears. In the initial stages of physical therapy (PT), the focus of therapy is on reducing inflammation/pain, regaining full ROM, and stabilizing the glenohumeral joint (GHJ), what we common refer to as the shoulder.
Without going into elaborate detail, the humerus and scapula are the two bones that make up the shoulder complex. In speaking about shoulder stabilization, the primary goal is to use the surrounding musculature (primarily the rotator cuff) to approximate the two bones in the GHJ. The primary function of the rotator cuff is to assist in the approximation of this joint and keep the humerus held down (inferiorly) in the joint. Besides RC strength, proprioception, or joint position sense, is also a key component to shoulder stabilization and health. Finally scapular stabilization and the rhythm between the scapula and humerus (scapulohumeral rhythm) during movement is very important.
In order to achieve these goals, I employ a very specific exercise progression aimed at gaining stabilization before focusing on strengthening. Please refer to the video for a brief description of each exercise and a demonstration. After a significant amount of stabilization is achieved, general shoulder strengthening and a functional progression to sport-specific or recreational activity is started.


Posted by:
Chris Leck, DPT, CSCS