Focus: Reduce pain, inflammation, and avoid further damage.
- Pain Management:
- Apply ice packs for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first few days.
- Use supportive taping or a sling to limit shoulder movement.
- Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises:
- Perform pain-free pendulum exercises to maintain gentle mobility.
- Gradually introduce passive and assisted ROM exercises, avoiding positions that provoke pain, especially flexion above 75 degrees.
- Isometric Strengthening:
- Perform isometric exercises for the deltoid, rotator cuff, and scapular stabilizers within pain-free ranges.
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**Phase 2: Subacute Phase (2–6 Weeks)**
Focus: Improve mobility and initiate gentle strengthening.
- Controlled Range of Motion:
- Progress to active ROM exercises for shoulder flexion, abduction, and rotation within a pain-free range.
- Strengthening Exercises:
- Begin low-resistance, high-repetition exercises for the rotator cuff and scapular muscles (e.g., external rotations with a resistance band).
- Perform scapular stabilization exercises such as serratus anterior punches and scapular retractions.
- Proprioceptive Training:
- Introduce closed-chain exercises like weight shifts on a stability ball or wall circles to enhance joint proprioception.
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**Phase 3: Advanced Strengthening and Stability (6–12 Weeks)**
Focus: Enhance stability, strength, and prepare for functional activities.
- Strength Training:
- Use dumbbells or resistance bands for progressive strengthening of the deltoid, trapezius, and rotator cuff muscles.
- Include compound movements such as rows and push-ups (modify as needed).
- Dynamic Stability Exercises:
- Perform plank variations and unilateral weight-bearing exercises to improve scapular and AC joint stability.
- Functional Movements:
- Introduce sport- or activity-specific exercises, ensuring proper mechanics and avoiding positions that trigger pain.
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**Phase 4: Return to Sport/Activity (>12 Weeks)**
Focus: Achieve full ROM, strength, and stability for high-demand tasks.
- Plyometric and Power Training:
- Incorporate plyometric exercises like medicine ball throws or push-off planks.
- Sport-Specific Drills:
- Practice movements or drills specific to the athlete’s sport or daily activity demands.
- Final Assessments:
- Ensure full pain-free ROM, symmetrical strength compared to the unaffected side, and stability before return to sport or heavy activity.
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**Precautions:**
- Avoid activities or exercises that cause pain, particularly above 75 degrees flexion or with instability exercises, until strength and stability improve.
- Monitor for signs of chronic instability or impingement and adjust treatment accordingly.
A multidisciplinary approach, including input from a physiotherapist or sports physician, can optimize recovery outcomes.