Shoulder joint impingement syndrome is an unpleasant and rather complex disease that brings a lot of pain and discomfort. In addition, the patient becomes significantly limited in their movements. Consider what constitutes a disease.
Features of the disease
So, this syndrome is characterized by an infringement of the cuff tendons, which is responsible for the rotation of the shoulder. It occurs in professional athletes who are engaged in swimming or throwing, the elderly. In this case, pinching occurs in the subacromial space.
If this situation repeats repeatedly, tendon inflammation occurs over time . This contributes to a certain thickening of the ligaments, which, in turn, are pinched even more, causing new attacks of severe pain and other symptoms. If the pathology is ignored, then its development will lead to surgical intervention or other serious consequences.
It is very important to eliminate the consequences of any injuries of the shoulder girdle in time. An untreated fracture or rupture of ligaments can contribute to the development of the presented disease.
Signs of pathology
Shoulder impingement syndrome is characterized by certain symptoms. We can call such signs of pathology:
1. Pain, which over time becomes more pronounced. Moreover, if at first discomfort is felt only during movement, then then constantly.
2. In case of illness, the patient cannot raise his arm up and to the side.
Hip joint syndrome is characterized by the same symptoms. It should be noted that the signs allow you to see a doctor at an early stage of the disease. You cannot delay a visit to a specialist.
Causes of the appearance of pathology
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs under the influence of several factors. It should be highlighted:
- Excessive loads (especially among athletes).
- Inflammatory pathologies of bone tissue or muscles.
- The pathological structure of the joint.
- Injuries (sprain and rupture of ligaments, fracture of the shoulder).
Naturally, concomitant diseases can contribute to the development of pathology : diabetes mellitus, bone problems. In this case, the patient should be constantly under the supervision of a doctor.
Diagnostic Features
In order to correctly determine the impingement syndrome of the shoulder joint, you must definitely consult a doctor. He should not only take into account your complaints, but also palpate the affected area, collect a patient history. In addition, other research methods can be applied.
In general, laboratory tests here can provide very little information. Although they will help establish the cause of the development of pathology. The specialist should prescribe radiography, MRI and computed tomography. Such an examination will help not only establish the correct diagnosis, but also determine the degree of development of the disease. Thanks to this diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe an effective treatment.
Traditional therapy
Naturally, in the case of pathology, treatment of the shoulder joint should be started. Knowing all about joints is very helpful. Thus, you can protect yourself from the appearance of any serious problems with the musculoskeletal system.
If you are diagnosed with shoulder impingement syndrome, treatment should only begin after consultation with a doctor. First of all, therapy should be conservative. However, it helps only in non-launched cases. For example, a specialist will prescribe you anti-inflammatory oral medications and ointments for external use (Voltaren). Naturally, treatment should be prescribed that helps eliminate pain. For this, painkillers are used. If the pain is repeated periodically and is very severe, then the patient is put in a blockade in the joint bag. At the same time, such drugs as Diprospan, Depo-Medrol are used.
Please note that blockade should not be applied too often. An injection is made once a week. In total, no more than three blockades are allowed per year. Naturally, the shoulder load should be significantly reduced. Sometimes the joint has to be immobilized. Means "Ibuprofen" will help relieve the inflammatory process.
Basically, treatment of impingement syndrome of the shoulder joint with medications is quite effective and allows you to get rid of the pathology within 2 months. However, there are times when the pills do not help. Then the patient is prescribed an operation.
Surgery: is it necessary?
If you have shoulder impingement syndrome , treatment should be comprehensive. In difficult cases, surgery may be used. The procedure is called arthroscopy. During the operation, the integrity of the muscles and tendons is restored, and osteophytes are removed.
In this case, the space under the acromion increases. Sometimes a part of the joint bag or collarbone is removed from the patient. Surgical treatment of impingement syndrome of the shoulder joint is done using a fairly sophisticated technique, so you should carefully select the clinic before performing the intervention.
The operation is done through small incisions, which are almost invisible after wound healing. Naturally, such an intervention in a good clinic is not cheap. However, one should not joke with his condition and conduct experiments on the body.
The use of physiotherapy
Treatment of impingement syndrome of the shoulder joint can be carried out using electrophoresis, ultrasound irradiation, as well as magnetic therapy. These methods can give a positive effect: relieve the inflammatory process, block pain. However, the patient will also have to attend physical therapy and massage sessions. This will help to develop a joint and maintain its optimal mobility.
Exercise should be simple enough and have a minimal load on the joint. Otherwise, the condition of the joint may worsen. Massage should be done by a specialist. Moreover, you can hardly do all the procedures yourself. Massage techniques will help restore the functionality of muscles and ligaments.
If such methods do not give results for several months, then an operation can be applied.
Rehabilitation Features
Subacromial impingement syndrome is an unpleasant and complex disease that requires a certain period of patient recovery. Especially if he had surgery. After surgery, if it was carried out correctly and successfully, after a few weeks you can begin the process of rehabilitation. Prior to this, the joint will be immobilized using a special tire.
The first time after surgery, the ligaments and tendons should be minimally strained. This will help protect the tissue from repeated injury and even tearing. How much the arm will be without movement should be determined by the doctor who performed the intervention. To do this, you need a radiography.
Next, the patient will need to engage in light physical exercises aimed at developing the joint. The intensity of such a charge should be determined by a rehabilitologist. Perform exercises should also be under the supervision of a specialist. In a few weeks, gymnastics can be done at home.
Physiotherapy will also be helpful if you have impingement syndrome. The shoulder joint (its treatment lasts long enough) can be additionally treated with ultrasound, which relieves postoperative edema and the inflammatory process. In addition, the patient will undergo additional myostimulation.
During recovery, the patient should eat well so that all the necessary minerals and elements enter the body. This will help to recover faster.
How to prevent pathology?
Very often, people who start having problems with the joints of the bones of the upper body are diagnosed with impingement syndrome. The shoulder joint, the treatment of which must be comprehensive, is quite complex in its structure. Naturally, it is best not to fight the disease, but to prevent it.
To do this, try to exercise regularly. Normal charging will be enough. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, then do gymnastics several times a day. Proper nutrition and the absence of bad habits will also help prevent the disease. Try to avoid falls and any injuries to the shoulder girdle. If they have occurred, then they should be quickly treated until complete recovery.
It is necessary to timely identify and eliminate any inflammatory processes that occur in the body. If you suffer from some incurable disease that can contribute to the development of the presented pathology, then try to carefully monitor your own health.
That's all the features of the occurrence, development and treatment of the presented disease. Be mindful of your health.