Frozen Shoulder - Case Profile

Profile
In a skiing accident, client caught an edge on the downhill ski and landed on her left shoulder. X-rays revealed fractured shoulder blade and subsequent MRI revealed a 3cm torn rotator cuff. Client had eight weeks of physical therapy that helped improve range-of-motion (ROM) and reduce pain. However, after treatment stopped the pain returned and she developed a frozen shoulder.

Treatment
NMT was added after her first course of physical therapy to address trigger points in the rotator cuff. Protective posturing had affected the infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles - all of which referred pain directly into her shoulder joint. NMT was able to keep cuff muscles lengthened and reduce daily discomfort while she continued her therapeutic ROM exercises.

Result
Client has returned to skiing, although pain-free ROM never completely returned to the shoulder. She will need a surgical repair to mend the tear. NMT continues to help manage her case at two-week intervals in order to keep the frozen shoulder from recurring. When integrated into a pre/post surgical rehabilitation programs, NMT can maintain muscle health and reduce secondary trigger point pain related to injury.