By: Jerry Moczerniuk
PT, DPT
Shoulder pain is a fairly common symptom in adults. The estimated prevalence of shoulder complaints is between 7 percent and 34 percent. Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) occurs when tendons of the rotator cuff and the subacromial bursa become irritated and painful.
The symptoms of subacromial pain syndrome are typically pain in the upper part of the arm, particularly when lifting the arm above shoulder height. Initially, those symptoms can be mild and infrequent, however, recurring irritation of the tendons and bursa can lead to chronic changes to the tendon, tendinopathies and even rotator cuff tears. All of those conditions can result in loss of motion, debilitating pain and functionally limited use of the arm.
A 2016 research review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at the effectiveness of physical therapy treatment of clearly defined subacromial pain. 64 randomized control trials investigating effectiveness of physical therapy on subacromial pain syndrome were included in the review.
Data analysis of the systematic review revealed that exercise therapy had high evidence of being as effective as surgery intervention to improve pain, function and range of motion for patients with SAPS. Furthermore, authors were also able to state that exercise therapy was better than no treatment or placebo treatment with regards to pain and function.
Additionally, the research article also suggested that combination of joint mobilization and exercises provided high evidence to decrease pain and improve function in the short term.
Physical Therapy should be considered a first treatment option for subacromial pain syndrome. Physical Therapists are trained in exercise prescription, joint mobilization and manual treatment techniques as those described in the above mentioned research.
Dr. Moczerniuk is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, member of American Physical Therapy Association, and a Clinical Director at db Orthopedic Physical Therapy of Manalapan LLC,
located at 120 Craig Road Suite 2.
Dr. Moczerniuk can be reached at 732-462-2162 or via e-mail at jerry@dborthopt.com. You can also find out more about our practice at dborthopt.com
