Stable work of the shoulder joints allows a person to perform the usual daily movements of the hands. Any trauma, damage is not only pain, but also a deterioration in the quality of life, a restriction in movement. Dislocation or fracture of the shoulder joint requires immediate medical attention, only in this case a person can restore health.
The structure of the shoulder joint
The human body is thought out to the smallest detail. So, for example, the shoulder joint, due to its location and structure provides maximum mobility of the hand. For the same reason, this joint is especially vulnerable, it is hardly possible to accurately determine how many times a day a person moves his hand.
It is important to know the difference between the shoulder and the shoulder joint. The shoulder is the part of the arm from the armpit to the elbow, and the shoulder joint is the place where the arm connects to the body. The shoulder blade and humerus, which are enclosed in the joint capsule, are the main components of the shoulder joint.
The structure of the mechanism is quite simple. All its functions and interaction features of all components are aimed at protecting against unwanted injuries, including from damage to Hill Sachs.
The role of the joint in everyday life
Only the coordinated work of all joints will allow a person to feel full in everyday life. Shoulder joints play an important role, which is the ability of a person to move his hands, carry heavy objects, perform work that requires accuracy, play sports.
If the joint works stably, few people think about its importance. In this case, only a clear interaction of the shoulder joint, clavicle and clavicular articulation will allow for a variety of movements. If only the shoulder joint works, then a person will not be able to raise his arms above his shoulders.
Hand movements that are available for healthy joint function:
- Lead and cast.
- Rotations and circular motions.
- Flexion and extension.
- Raise and lower.
Knowledge of the structure and work of the joints, including understanding the structure of the shoulder joint, will help to avoid injuries, inflammation, various pathologies.
Instability of the shoulder joint
Any deviations from the norm in the work of the joints require immediate medical attention. This is important not only to restore performance, but also to prevent the development of additional defects on the background of the main injury.
Hill Sachs damage occurs due to general instability of the brachial joint. It can not be left without proper treatment, this can lead to the development of serious complications, up to a person’s disability. Injury is a defect in the head of the humerus that occurred due to dislocation of the shoulder or intraarticular fracture.
This often leads to the appearance of hypermobility in the shoulder joint. Pathology can cause significant damage to the quality of life.
If Hill-Sachs is damaged, the head of the humerus is pressed into the articular cavity, often along with this, the cartilaginous lip is torn off. The stronger the dislocation, the more the lip is separated from the bone border, the greater the likelihood of further development of instability of the shoulder joint, especially when performing rotations and circular movements of the hand.
Causes of Hill Sachs Damage
Any person can get a similar injury, for this it is not necessary to develop concomitant pathologies. Hill-Sachs shoulder joint damage occurs under the following conditions:
- Abrupt abduction of the arm back and its gross blockage in a similar position.
- Falling on a straight arm (frequent injury in slippery weather in winter).
- A sharp jerk of the arm forward (for example, when the hand is clamped in any mechanism).
- Point strong blow to the shoulder joint with general body immobility.
Dislocations in the shoulder joint can occur due to individual characteristics of human health. Congenital anomalies lead to increased extensibility of the ligaments and articular capsule, however, such lesions rarely entail indentation of the bone head into the articular cavity.
Based on the above, experts attribute the damage to Hill Sachs to injuries of athletes and people after serious accidents, catastrophes (multiple bone fractures).
Symptoms of Damage
You can diagnose damage to the shoulder joint yourself. A similar fracture is characterized by pain, swelling, and restrictions on arm movement. These are the most obvious and common symptoms of Hill Sachs damage.
Doctors also recommend paying attention to other signs:
- Visually noticeable changes in the contours of the shoulder.
- With a physical impact on the shoulder, the head of the joint is excessively mobile and springy.
- In the hand there is constant numbness, there is a feeling of goosebumps.
- At the time of dislocation reduction, a distinct crunch is heard in the region of the shoulder joint.
A fracture may not be immediately noticeable, therefore it is categorically not recommended to straighten the joint yourself. This will lead to an even larger defect and subsequent complications. Only a competent medical examination will establish the true cause of pain and swelling in the shoulder area.
Shoulder joint treatment
Before deciding on the treatment of Hill-Sachs damage, it is necessary to undergo an examination, which will confirm the diagnosis. The diagnostic measures include:
- Examination by a doctor.
- MRI of the shoulder joint.
An initial examination allows you to determine the presence of injury, changes in the contour of the shoulder and the degree of muscle atrophy. Subsequent MRI of the shoulder joint shows the degree of damage, all concomitant changes in the structure of the joint.
Treatment is carried out with the help of surgery:
- Arthroscopic method. This approach is a microinvasive implantation and the application of a special suture in the region of the articular lip and the place of attachment of ligaments to it. This method is considered to be the reference one, it is used in most cases, if the injury in question is detected.
- Classical surgery under general anesthesia. This approach is considered acceptable in emergency cases, when the bone structure of the tissues is greatly weakened, or there is a prolonged lack of blood supply in the area of injury.
A timely visit to a doctor is a guarantee that in the future the shoulder will function stably. Otherwise, the risk of developing chronic instability is high.
Recovery after treatment
After undergoing successful treatment, the patient must follow a number of rules that will allow him to recover faster.
Key recommendations:
- Constantly use a special locking mechanism that relieves excessive tension from the muscles of the upper arm.
- Do not raise your hand above 90 degrees.
- Do not rotate your hand too hard. Forward rotation is allowed no more than 30 degrees.
The average recovery period after damage to Hill Sachs is 1.5-2 months. Throughout this period, the patient should vigilantly monitor their own feelings, regularly observed by a doctor and follow all instructions. This approach will help you return to your usual life faster.