Posterior dislocation of shoulder

[piggy2001uk]

Hi i am a sports massage student and am trying to find out when & what massage treatment i can give for a posterior dislocation of the shoulder i would be greatful for any advice.
Thank you.

[Heidi]

Hi,

I think you would have to assess the patient to see which muscles need work. With this kind of injury there is likely to be a lot of soft tissue problems, mainly with the upper back and rotator cuff muscles in a posterior dislocation (although i've not seen one, these are quite rare, anterior dislocations are far more common).

[piggy2001uk]

Hi Heidi

This is just an essay question we need to do as i have done my research into the dislocation itself and everything i have come across says it is a rare occurance but i cannot find anything on the rehab of the dislocation especially with reagrds to sports massage and techniques to use, may i ask what would you do if you were to come across such an injury.

Many thanks.

[Heidi]

Sorry if this is a bit of a wishy-washy answer!

Firstly I would do a full assessment. Including range of motion, strength, posture etc.

From this you can get a good idea about what rehab and treatment is required. A general idea would be:

Starting with gentle stretching and mobility exercises to regain full movement. Stuff like pendulum exercises, upper back and chest stretches.

I would then only do massage to any particulary tense muscles, so that would probably vary from person to person. But as a generalisation - Trapz, rhomboids,supraspinatus,infraspinatus,latissimus dorsi and pecs. Mainly using effleurage, petrissage and then working a bit deeper with the thumbs.

Once range of motion is returning to normal I would start strengthening the rotator cuff especially, using rehab band. Then progress to deltoid and chest strengthening.

I hope this helps. My advice with your essay question is to cover all points. By that I mean, mention your assessment and that you would tailor your treatment to the findings of your assessment. Then mention everything you could do but say why you would do it, relating back to the assessment.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

[piggy2001uk]

Hi Heidi
Many thanks that is of great help and would i be right in thinking you wouldn't start any rehab for a period of at lease 4-6 weeks as all research i have been reading says that the shoulder is immobilised for this period of time.

Julie

[Heidi]

Hi,

Yes there would be a period of immobilisation. Although I think 4-6 weeks might be a bit excessive for complete mobilisation. As long as the movement which caused the dislocation is avoided (usually adduction with internal rotation for posterior dislocations) then other mobility exercises can begin after a couple of weeks max.

[piggy2001uk]

Thank you for that you have been of great help.

Julie