Why does shoulder stiffness occur?
Adhesions can form around and below the surgical scar. Sometimes these adhesions limit soft tissue and muscular lengthening thereby restricting full range of shoulder movement. Scar massage and exercise are important following surgery to keep the scar soft, mobile, and elastic. Radiotherapy requires the shoulder to be placed in an externally rotated position. This can be a problem for some patients who already have some tightness in their shoulder following surgery. Radiotherapy can also accentuate the tightness in the chest wall. Hence, it is highly recommended that physiotherapy is sought for patients who do not have full shoulder range prior to radiotherapy, and that exercises are continued throughout the period of radiotherapy.
