Parkinson’s Disease (PD) & Shoulder Pain
65 year old male who was diagnosed with PD in 2016. He had been managing his symptoms well. He was a keen walker and attended our PD specific exercise class. Over the last few months he developed shoulder pain and was struggling with reaching his hand into his back pocket and putting the sleeve of his coat on.
Presenting problems:
- Shoulder pain on movement behind back- 6/10 pain.
- Having to take regular pain killers.
- Unable to participate in PD specific exercise class.
- Assessment:
- Right shoulder pain at the last third of the end of range in elevation.
- Poor scapular stability limiting control of arm movement.
- Loss of range of movement into internal rotation – 75% range of motion.
Treatment:
- Soft tissue mobilisation and massage to the restricted muscle group.
- Rotator cuff strengthening.
- Scapular stabilisation exercises and proprioception training.
- Strength training.
- Home exercise plan including strength exercises and stretching.
Outcomes:
- Able to return to PD specific exercise class.
- Able to move hand behind back to shoulder level, pain free.
- No longer requiring pain killers.
- Full, pain free, range of motion.
- PD outcome measure (PDQ8): scored 5 on assessment and 10 on discharge, indicating an improvement in PD symptoms.
