RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effects of shoulder-elbow elastic immobilization and functional exercise for injured shoulder arthrochalasis, and compare it with forearm-suspending immobilization and functional exercise therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients with injured shoulder arthrochalasis were randomly divided into treatment group (38 cases) and control group (37 cases). Treatment group underwent the therapy of shoulder-elbow elastic band immobilization and functional exercise; control group was managed by forearm-suspending band immobilization and functional exercise therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In treatment group, 29 (76.3%) cases recovered, 7 (18.4%) improved and 2 (5.3%) failed; in control group, 15 (40.5%) cases recovered, 15 (40.5%) cases improved and 7 (19.0%) failed. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (P<0.01). The AHI (acromio-humeral interval) ranged from 8 to 19 mm (11.9+/-5.1) in treatment group and 8 to 27 mm (14.2+/-5.4) in control group, and the difference was also statistically distinct (t=2.7525, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The treatment with shoulder-elbow elastic band immobilization and exercise therapy for injured shoulder arthrochalasis is a safe and effective method. Immobilization with shoulder-elbow elastic band is better than forearm-suspending band for injured shoulder arthrochalasis.</p>