The shoulder joint consists of the head of the humerus, scapula and clavicle. The head of the humerus enters the articular cavity of the scapula, which has a thick cartilaginous roller along its edge. Cartilage allows articular surfaces to articulate sufficiently tightly, which facilitates movement in the joint. All surfaces of bones are ideally suited to each other, due to which a person can move his hand in three planes. However, such a high mobility of the joint leads to its instability, i.e. may cause dislocations, subluxations and sprains of the ligamentous apparatus.
From above, the shoulder joint is covered with a dense capsule, which is a fixing system that holds all joint surfaces of the joint in place.
Dislocation of the shoulder joint - a violation of the stability of the articular surfaces when exposed to too much physical exertion or the movement simultaneously in different planes, as a result of which the motor function of the joint is blocked.
Dislocations of the shoulder joint are divided depending on the plane in which the jam occurs, on:
- front - the head moves relative to the articular cavity forward, under the coracoid process of the scapula;
- posterior dislocations are characterized by wedging the head back;
- lower - displacement of the head below the articular cavity of the scapula.
Dislocation of the shoulder joint is most common, because moving the head in this position is easiest. For example, when making a sharp throw or falling on the shoulder joint. With such a joint trauma, a joint capsule rupture is quite common - a very dangerous and painful complication of dislocation. Separation of the cartilaginous border of the articular cavity may also occur - a very unfavorable sign of dislocation.
Dislocation of the shoulder joint back is much less common, most likely due to the fact that the mechanism of this injury is very unusual and circumstances for its occurrence rarely develop. In order to get a posterior dislocation of the shoulder, it is necessary to fall on an arm extended forward or to hang on one arm for a long time, then under the weight of the entire weight a dislocation can also occur. A feature of the clinical symptoms of posterior dislocations is that the patient is not able to lower his hand down, so they come to the hospital with a raised hand.
In addition to physical effects from outside, some diseases and pathological processes can lead to dislocations in the shoulder joint:
- increased mobility in the shoulder joint, which is characterized by too large a range of motion;
- plastic disorders in the bone and cartilage tissues, as a result of which the bone tissue strength is significantly reduced, which means that they are easiest to shift relative to each other;
- Frequent dislocations and subluxations, or they are also called the usual dislocation of the shoulder joint, also lead to a weakening of the ligamentous apparatus of the joint, as a result of which the capsule is not able to hold the articular surfaces in position.
Shoulder dislocation: treatment.
The main tactic in the treatment of dislocation is not to harm. First aid should only consist of good joint immobilization. Then the patient must be hospitalized in a hospital to confirm the diagnosis and qualified reduction of dislocation.
Patients with dislocations should definitely have x-rays in two projections to prevent bone fracture.
If the diagnosis of dislocation is confirmed, then the bones must be put in place to restore joint mobility. Traumatologists sometimes use traction techniques for certain joint dislocations.
Physiotherapy is effective for dislocations, it is performed to reduce swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues, and to reduce pain.