To make sound clinical decisions when managing patients with shoulder disorders, it is necessary to understand the various pathologies, surgical procedures, and associated precautions and to identify presenting impairments, functional limitations, and possible disabilities.
JOINT HYPOMOBILITY: NONOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
Glenohumeral Joint
Restricted mobility of the glenohumeral joint may occur as a result of pathology such as rheumatoid arthritis or […]

Scapulohumeral Rhythm
Motion of the scapula, synchronous with motions of the humerus, allows for 150° to 180° of shoulder ROM into flexion or abduction with elevation. The ratio has considerable variation among individuals but is commonly accepted to be 2:1 (2° of glenohumeral motion to 1° of scapular rotation) overall motion. During the setting phase (0° […]

Scapulothoracic Articulation
Normally there is considerable soft tissue flexibility, allowing the scapula to slide along the thorax and participate in all upper extremity motions.
Motions of the Scapula
Motions of the scapula are:
• Elevation, depression, protraction (abduction), and retraction (adduction), with clavicular motions at the SC joint are also component motions when the humerus moves.
• Upward and downward […]

The shoulder girdle has only one bony attachment to the axial skeleton. The clavicle articulates with the sternum via the small sternoclavicular joint. As a result, considerable mobility is allowed in the upper extremity. Stability is provided by an intricate balance between the scapular and glenohumeral muscles and the structures of the joints in the […]

The anatomy of the shoulder joint complex allows for tremendous range of motion. This wide range of motion of the shoulder complex proximally permits precise positioning of the hand distally, creating both gross and skilled movements. However, the high degree of mobility requires some compromise in stability, which in turn increases the vulnerability of the […]