CuraCore Academy Talks Episode 7: The Wastebasket Diagnosis of Medial Shoulder Syndrome

The diagnosis of “medial shoulder syndrome” (MSS) constitutes an overly broad and inexact assessment. Successful treatment of shoulder pain, lameness, and dysfunction in dogs requires knowledge of the myofascial anatomy and proper palpation techniques to identify areas of restriction, laxity, disrupted sensorimotor communication. “Shoulder stability results from the activity of more structures than those that reside on the medial glenohumeral surface. “If even one muscle of a joint is dysfunctional, that muscle will affect the function of the whole joint by limiting motion, utilization of energy, resistance, and strength. Consequently, voluntarily or involuntarily, that joint could become underutilized (“splinted”) and the contralateral joint will exhibit protective guarding and become overutilized. If there is a larger imbalance, the joint that is overutilized may eventually become dysfunctional and develop fatigue, trigger points, and pain.” (Sella GE. Agonism and antagonism of the muscles of the shoulder joint: An SMEG (surface electromyography) approach. Practical Pain Management. 19(5): 41-44.). For more information about our Integrative Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Certification Program, visit curacore.org/vet/courses/integr…ve-rehabilitation/