Adhesive Capsulitis Rehab Protocol

 

Adhesive Capsulitis Rehab Protocol

  • Goal: Gradual increase in ROM of shoulder.
  • Modalities – use as necessary for pain and inflammation control, muscle relaxation and joint stiffness.
  • Moist heat to affected shoulder for 10 minutes prior to stretching.
  • Pendulums.
  • Forward Flexion- from supine position, use opposite hand to grab affected arm at wrist and lift overhead. 
  • Walk fingers slowly up the wall, hold for a stretch, return to original position.
  • External Rotation – from supine position.
  • Internal Rotation – use towel behind back to pull affected arm behind back
  • Cross-body reach – use opposite hand to pull affected elbow across the body.
  • Mobilizations
  • Wand/Cane exercises
  • Follow stretching with 5-7 minutes of ice.
  • Strengthen upper limb/shoulder/trunk muscles as needed.
  • Rockwood shoulder exercises.
  • Home exercise program – instruct patient/family members on methods of stretching to be performed 3-5 times per day.  Pulleys should be sent home with patient.
  • Stretches should be held for 20-30 seconds.
  • Patients should passively stretch their own shoulder to a tolerable pain level daily.