Today, people are increasingly turning to specialists with the problem of sprain of the shoulder joint. This tendency is explained by an appropriate way of life, poor nutrition and even a hereditary predisposition. As a rule, such a problem has to be faced with significant physical or even mechanical stress.
General information
The shoulder girdle, which provides movement of the upper limbs, consists of three joints (shoulder, acromioclavicular, shoulder-scapular). Due to the high range of motion, this area is considered a rather vulnerable place for various injuries. The shoulder joint is characterized by the natural instability of the so-called ligamentous apparatus, so it is very often necessary to deal with sprains. In fact, such a pathology almost always means a rupture of ligaments. Depending on the severity of the injury, microscopic and complete tears are distinguished.
Ligaments are dense cords, consisting mainly of connective tissue. They form a kind of adhesion between the bones.
Sprain of the ligaments of the shoulder joint often entails a violation of movements throughout the body. In the absence of timely treatment, the likelihood of degeneration of the problem into a chronic pathology increases, which is expressed in the instability of the damaged area.
Main reasons
- Excessive exercise. Shoulder injuries of this nature are diagnosed primarily among athletes involved in swimming or weightlifting.
- Violation of normal blood supply, which leads to a decrease in tissue elasticity.
- The formation of bone growths (osteophytes).
- Bad habits. Smoking, for example, disrupts metabolic processes throughout the body.
- Reception of hormonal drugs.
Clinical picture
As a rule, only certain ligaments (sternoclavicular, joint capsule or the so-called shoulder-rib joint) suffer from shoulder injuries. Depending on the injury, various structures can be involved in the pathological process, ensuring stabilization of the joint.
Shoulder sprain is usually characterized by severe pain and discomfort in the area. Unpleasant sensations intensify with palpation and movements. In addition, slight swelling, restriction of the usual mobility of a certain muscle group can be observed. Sometimes the temperature of the skin increases. In the absence of timely treatment, the pain syndrome becomes more intense every day, edema causes significant discomfort. All this already indicates the development of a rather dangerous pathology called primary tendonitis.
How shoulder sprain is classified
Symptoms of damage and their intensity vary based on the severity of the injury:
- The first degree is characterized by mild clinical signs. The patient has minor damage, and the lesion area is minimal. Painful discomfort is characterized by a pulling character.
- The second degree is characterized by more severe symptoms. The pains are more intense, any attempts to move the arm are accompanied by increased discomfort. Moderate edema, hematomas due to subcutaneous hemorrhage are observed.
- The third degree is characterized by pronounced symptoms. Patients complain of severe pain in the affected area. Difficulties arise when performing the usual movements of the hand, instability of the entire shoulder joint is noted. Such patients need immediate hospitalization.
First aid
In the first minutes after damage to the shoulder area, experts strongly recommend that the victim be positioned in such a way as to minimize the load on this area. Better unfasten your clothes. Soft tissue must be placed under the affected joint and firmly fixed with a splint or with the most common elastic bandage. After this, a cloth dampened with cold water should be applied to the tire or bandage. The above procedures can reduce the pain discomfort that so often accompanies sprain of the shoulder joint.
At this stage, the necessary assistance is completed. All subsequent measures should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified specialist and always in stationary conditions.
If the patient has a slight sprain of the shoulder joint, the symptoms do not cause painful discomfort, the measures described above are enough. However, it will not be superfluous to consult a doctor.
Diagnostics
If you suspect this pathology, you must immediately contact a traumatologist. The doctor at the reception should first of all listen to the patient’s complaints, conduct a physical examination and collect a complete medical history. Only after this a number of additional procedures can be prescribed (X-ray examination to differentiate the diagnosis, ultrasound, MRI, arthroscopy).
It is not recommended to try to determine the nature of the injury yourself. A qualified specialist can confirm the sprain of the shoulder joint and prescribe the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Conservative therapy
Within a few days after receiving an immediate injury, patients are recommended complete rest and exposure to cold on the affected area. To prevent further deformations in the joint, it is necessary to wear a special caliper. However, a long period of immobilization can adversely affect the immediate functionality of the shoulder.
To relieve painful discomfort, analgesics are recommended (Baralgin, Pentalgin, Panadol). Then, ibuprofen-based medications are usually prescribed (Naproxen, Indomethacin, Chlotazole).
Doctors also prescribe for all patients who have encountered such a problem as sprain of the shoulder joint, ointments. What are they like?
- Homeopathic. These drugs improve metabolic processes, inhibit tissue destruction (“Target T”, “Traumeel C”).
- Warming up. Such funds improve tissue nutrition, relieve painful discomfort ("Finalgon", "Capsicam").
- Chondroprotective ointments.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are responsible for reducing pain, relieve inflammation, but have many side effects. Such ointments are not recommended for a long time ("Nise", "Ketoprofen", "Nimesulide").
- Combined.
All of the above funds allow you to forget about such a problem as a sprain of the shoulder joint. Ointments, gels and other medications should be prescribed exclusively by a specialist based on the individual condition of the patient.
Surgical intervention has to be resorted to only in especially serious cases when the patient has hemorrhage. Also, surgery can be prescribed when conservative therapy has not produced the desired effect.
Help traditional medicine
How else can you reduce the painful discomfort characteristic of a pathology such as sprain of the shoulder joint? Treatment with folk remedies is another treatment option. However, it is recommended to resort to his help only after visiting a doctor. Below we list the most popular recipes for traditional medicine.
- Potatoes. It is necessary to chop peeled tubers, mix with onions, sugar and cabbage in approximately equal proportions. By consistency, such a tool should resemble gruel. Applications with potatoes are recommended in the evening and leave all night.
- Garlic. A few cloves of garlic must be peeled and chopped to a pulp state, add animal fat. The resulting mixture should be put on fire and boiled. For a few minutes you can put a couple of eucalyptus leaves. After cooling, such a mixture must be filtered and rubbed into the affected area several times a day.
- Elderberry is also effective in pathologies such as sprain of the shoulder joint. Home treatment in this case involves the use of a small amount of fresh berries (about 200 g). In a small amount of water, it is necessary to cook an elderberry, add a tablespoon of soda. The broth should cool, after which it must be filtered. To treat stretching, it is recommended to moisten a cloth in the decoction and apply it to the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
Preventative measures
Timely treatment of sprain of the shoulder joint is effective in almost every case. However, any pathology is easier to prevent than to subsequently undergo a course of drug therapy. In this case, experts recommend constantly strengthening the ligamentous-muscular apparatus. For these purposes, you must regularly engage in sports, do exercises in the morning, adhere to an active lifestyle. When performing exercises of any complexity, sharp movements should be avoided if the muscles have not previously been warmed up accordingly.
In case of trauma, self-treatment of sprain of the shoulder joint is not recommended. It is better to seek help from a surgeon. Sometimes, under the guise of the most common sprain, a serious dislocation or even a rupture of the ligaments may be hidden, which in the absence of competent therapy threatens with serious complications.
Particular attention should be paid to the daily diet. It should be rich in calcium and vitamin D. It is extremely important to observe the correct drinking regimen, because it is the liquid that provides sufficient tissue elasticity and accelerates metabolism.