Upper Extremity
A highly mobile and functional part of the body
Conditions of the Upper extremity (Shoulder – Elbow – Wrist)

Our hands are unique and adaptable and the upper end is there to support them and place them where needed. Hands are used for support, transport, exploration (item recognition) and expression. The upper limb is a highly mobile and functional part of the body and is essential for most daily needs.

The increased demands on its use, as well as its increased mobility, result in frequent injuries. These injuries can be a simple tendon injury or a muscle imbalance that affects the entire motor chain of the limb and causes a painful stimulus, a ligament injury, a neurological injury involving peripheral nerves or even a fracture.
Frozen shoulder, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis (supraspinatus – infraspinatus), shoulder bursitis, shoulder instability, cartilage injury (SLAP), elbow epicondylitis (Golf Elbow and Tennis Elbow) and carpal tunnel syndrome (De Quervain's tendinitis) are the most common cases that pass through the physiotherapists’ door.


Physiotherapy in the upper extremity is demanding and aims to eliminate pain and to maintain full and painless range of motion. This is achieved in a variety of ways and combinations of technical and physical means. A typical example is the frozen shoulder syndrome where the analgesic approach with cryotherapy, electrotherapy and laser are very important in order to stop the pathological signal that causes extremely severe pain and immobility. When the acute phase subsides, passive mobilization and stretching are very useful to avoid muscular imbalance of the shoulder muscles.
The final step of rehabilitation includes active mobilization and strengthening of the recovered structures until the patient returns back to normal.