Shoulder Rehabilitation

Summary

Shoulder Rehabilitation investigated how different strengthening exercises affect the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff. In patients with rotator cuff lesions, cartilage disorders or shoulder instability, rehabilitation programs aim to strengthen the shoulder while limiting subacromial impingement and excessive stress on the cartilage, labrum and tendons.

The study used motion capture and biomechanical simulation to analyze 30 to 50 rehabilitation exercises. The objective was to quantify their effects on the glenohumeral joint, including cartilage compression and subacromial impingement, as well as on rotator cuff mechanics through changes in tendon length of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor.

By providing objective biomechanical data on commonly used exercises, the project aimed to support more informed selection of shoulder rehabilitation protocols.

Partners

Artanim
Patient-specific shoulder modeling, motion analysis and biomechanical simulation.

University Hospitals of Geneva – Physical Medicine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit
Selection and clinical evaluation of rehabilitation exercises.

University Hospitals of Geneva – Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
Medical supervision and clinical expertise.

Related Publications

Charbonnier C, Lädermann A, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. Shoulder Strengthening Exercises Adapted to Specific Shoulder Pathologies Can Be Selected Using New Simulation Techniques: A Pilot Study, Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg, 13(2):321-330, 2018.
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Charbonnier C, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Holzer N. Évaluation des effets potentiellement délétères d’exercices de l’épaule en fonction des pathologies rencontrées, Congrès de la Société Francophone d’Arthroscopie 2016, Paris, France, Rev Chir Orthop Traumatol, 102(8):S307, December, 2016.
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Holzer N, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Charbonnier C. High differences in subacromial space height and gleno-humeral compression according to shoulder muscle exercise type, Swiss Med Wkly, Suppl. 210, 145:32S, 2015.
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Charbonnier C, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. Impact of Shoulder Strengthening Exercises on the Shoulder Joint, 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, Poitiers, France, June, 2015.
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Charbonnier C, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. A Simplified Technique To Estimate Rotator Cuff Elongation During Complex Shoulder Motion, 29th International Congress of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, Barcelona, Spain, Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg, June, 2015.
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Holzer N, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Charbonnier C. Impact of Shoulder Strengthening Exercises on Subacromial Space Height and on Articular Cartilages and Labrum Compression Using Motion Capture Analysis, 16th EFORT Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, June, 2015.
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