Improvement of Fatigue in Unstable Shoulder Through a Therapeutic Exercise Program in Physiotherapy

The glenohumeral joint presents a high incidence of dislocation (15.3 - 56.3 per 100,000 people per year), which is often accompanied by injury to the glenoid labrum, which increases the number of patients with chronic glenohumeral instability. However, there is great controversy when it comes to giving a clear and agreed definition among experts, since the term \"recurrent glenohumeral instability\" has been used in the scientific literature to encompass a multitude of terms such as dislocation, subluxation, apprehension and instability.

The two common points found in most definitions are discomfort and excessive translation of the humeral head in the glenoid fossa.

Traditionally, biomechanics have attributed glenohumeral instability to structural defects, pointing to bone loss in the glenoid cavity and Hill-Sachs lesion as its main causes. Nonetheless, it has been shown that abnormal muscle activation patterns of the periarticular muscles of the shoulder may be the cause of said instability without the need for there is structural damage.

Taking this last clarification into account, in 2020 a consensus was reached among various experts in the field of shoulder surgery to establish a standard in the classification of functional shoulder instability (FSI), dividing it into two large groups defined as positional FSI, when the shoulder subluxation or dislocation occurs during arm movement and is reduced when returning to neutral position; and non-positional FSI, when this glenohumeral dislocation occurs with the shoulder in a neutral position.

Additionally, a subdivision is made based on the patient\'s ability to control the occurrence of the event: the controllable ones, when the subject is capable of producing and reducing the dislocation voluntarily, almost without symptoms; and uncontrollable when the episode of instability occurs involuntarily, causing more severe pain and functional impotence.

In a more detailed analysis of individuals suffering from functional shoulder instability, electromyography found increased activity in the muscles that stabilize the humeral head and decreased activity in those responsible for mobility. Likewise, a decrease in superointernal scapular rotation was found during arm elevation, generating a descent of the humeral head, which is increased if it is accompanied by ligament hyperlaxity.

The lack of glenohumeral stability can generate a wide variety of signs and symptoms such as pain, limited range of motion, loss of strength, kinesiophobia and a continuous sensation of instability. Added to all this is fatigue, whose early detection can play a very relevant role in the prevention of shoulder injuries, but its evaluation is a great challenge since the term fatigue encompasses several variables.

The kinematic variable refers to both the lack of stability to raise the upper limb and the loss of movement speed. The monitoring of the speed during the execution of the entrusted task can be useful to estimate the number of repetitions that the patient can perform before muscle failure appears.

The physiological variable refers to the inability to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to maintain a movement over time. This insufficiency of metabolic substrate is usually the cause of the so-called neuromuscular fatigue, which has two main axes, central fatigue and peripheral fatigue.

The psychometric variable can manifest itself at the behavioral level, with a decrease in precision in the work carried out; and on a psychological level, with a feeling of exhaustion, weakness and demotivation. This generates an overestimation of the perception of effort and, ultimately, a reduction in physical performance.

In addition to the differentiation of these three variables, when addressing the problem of fatigue, it must be taken into account that there are significant differences related to age and sex.

Taking these findings as a reference, and emphasizing the fact that fatigue is capable of altering the role of the static and dynamic stabilizers of the humeral head, there are already several studies that suggest the need to analyze it in greater depth and establish agreed prevention and rehabilitation protocols in relation to glenohumeral instability.

Exercise plays a fundamental role in this pathology, both in the conservative approach, which is usually the first choice, and in rehabilitation after the surgical approach; since it has been proven that a therapeutic exercise program optimizes the function of dynamic stabilizers that are essential in the maintenance of glenohumeral stability.

In the conservative approach, the Watson program focuses on gaining motor control and stability in the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints; and presents six stages that progress over 12 weeks with the strengthening of the axioscapular muscles, the rotator cuff and the deltoid, until the patient is included in their activities of daily living and sports.

This intervention has shown significant improvements compared to other programs such as the Rockwood in the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, in the reduction of pain, in flexor strength and in scapular coordination.

Within this non-surgical approach, the SINEX program is based on 12 weeks of neuromuscular exercises supervised by a physiotherapist with a progression through 7 levels in which strength, coordination, balance and proprioception, as well as the integration of these patterns in functional activities. This intervention reported significant improvements compared to other interventions such as the HOMEX program, especially in apprehension and in the ability to perform sports activities.

Additionally, the influence of the 12-week WIP1 conservative exercise program, through teleconsultation, on atraumatic shoulder instability was analyzed. This program has 6 stages that go through gaining scapular motor control, toning the periarticular muscles, controlling the different planes of movement and integrating movement patterns into specific individualized tasks; reporting significant improvements in stability, shoulder function, strength and scores on specific questionnaires.

When the conservative approach is not successful, there is some trauma in the clinical history or there are concomitant injuries such as Hill-Sachs or Bankart, arthroscopic surgical techniques are used, consisting of the reduction of the joint capsule, since it has been shown that report better long-term results and a lower incidence of recurrence.

After surgery, early supervised mobilization of the involved joint is necessary to optimize the results of the intervention, minimize pain, maximize range of motion and return to sports activity.

The fact of betting on accelerated rehabilitation, in which the patient is subjected to strength and proprioception training with a high demand for skills, to increase precision in stability and joint position, makes it necessary for the exercise program treatment is supervised by a qualified professional in the area.

According to the American Association of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists, rehabilitation after capsulolabral shoulder repair arthroscopy consists of three phases. The first phase focuses on the maximum protection of the surgical sutures. The second phase focuses on achieving functional joint range, submaximal strength, and dynamic stabilization; and the third phase is based on improving neuromuscular function, increasing strength, maximizing joint range and returning the patient to their daily activities and sports practice.

The current challenge in this field is to design an individualized therapeutic exercise program that takes into account the differences in the initial factors between the different individuals, the union between the reduction of symptoms and the return to work and/or sports activity, individual potential, and the conjunction between the protection of tissues and the maximization of capacities; in order to optimize the results of the recovery.

For these reasons, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised multicomponent therapeutic exercise program in reducing multivariable fatigue in patients with instability of the glenohumeral joint.