Shoulder ligament sprain

One of the most common sports and household injuries is considered to be a sprain of the shoulder joint. Such an injury can occur due to sudden physical exertion or careless incorrect movement in the joint.

The pathology may be accompanied by the development of inflammation (tendinitis) or partial damage to the tendons. You should not delay treatment, as the disease may be complicated by bursitis or tendinosis, which significantly worsens the further course of the pathology.

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Causes of Shoulder Ligament Sprains

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint consisting of the semicircular head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity. This joint provides mobility to the shoulder. It is surrounded by tendons, cartilage, muscles - all of which support and complement each other.

There are many different ways to injure the shoulder joint, but most often this occurs due to the following reasons:

• a strong, sharp movement (jerk) or turning of the arm outward;
• a sharp blow to the anterior surface of the shoulder joint;
• a fall with emphasis on an outstretched upper limb or on the back of the shoulder;
• hanging on one arm, sharp extension of the arm;
• frequent lifting of heavy objects and loads, sudden lifting of weights.

Athletes can injure their shoulder joints by doing bench presses or forearm presses, or by performing exercises on parallel bars or horizontal bars.

In small children, sprains often occur when an adult lifts the child with a pulling motion by one arm.

There are also a number of factors that lead to weakening of the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder girdle, which significantly increases the risk of ligament sprains:

• metabolic disorders, insufficient tissue trophism;
• age-related changes in joints, formation of osteophytes, loss of tissue elasticity;
• hormonal therapy over a long period;
• smoking and long-term intoxication of the body.

Symptoms of a Shoulder Sprain

When injuring the shoulder, the crucial point is differentiating a sprain from a ligament rupture, since the prognosis and possible consequences of the injury depend on the correct diagnosis.

The main signs may be:

• shoulder pain;
• severe pain when palpating the shoulder;
• swelling (edema) of the shoulder area;
• redness and hyperthermia of the skin in the shoulder joint area;
• shoulder hematomas;
• pain when trying to move the shoulder.

Symptoms may worsen within minutes of the injury. The pain becomes unbearable and muscle strength in the arm weakens.

Of course, the clinical picture of shoulder joint injury may differ depending on the severity of the injury and the degree of ligament damage.

Diagnosis of shoulder sprain

If you suspect a sprain of the ligamentous apparatus of the shoulder joint, you should immediately contact a traumatologist. The doctor will examine the patient, conduct palpation, collect an objective and subjective anamnesis and, if necessary, prescribe a number of additional examinations:

• X-ray examination – used frequently, mainly to differentiate a sprain from a possible dislocation, rupture and tear of ligaments, or bone fracture;
• ultrasound examination of the rotator cuff – allows you to assess the integrity of the shoulder ligaments;
• magnetic resonance imaging method – is rarely used, only in complex and non-standard cases, although it is quite informative in terms of visualizing the degree of damage to the tissues of the shoulder joint;
• arthroscopy method – allows for a detailed analysis of the condition of the ligaments from the inside. Rarely used, mainly in orthopedics.

Do not try to determine the nature of the shoulder injury yourself, let the doctor do it: the sooner the patient is given the correct diagnosis, the sooner he will receive medical care and the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

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Treatment of shoulder sprains

In case of ligament sprains, conservative treatment is usually sufficient. Joint pain is relieved by freezing the affected area with ethyl chloride or novocaine, and also by applying a pressure bandage (Desault bandage). If the sprain is minor, it is possible to limit the application of cold to the injury site: this procedure must be repeated for two to three days, while simultaneously providing rest for the injured limb.

To relieve pain, analgesics are used, mainly analgin and paracetamol preparations: pentalgin, tempalgin, baralgin, efferalgan, panadol. Then, usually prescribed drugs based on ibuprofen or diclofenac, butadion, naproxen, indomethacin, chlotazol to relieve pain and swelling of the joint. One of the listed drugs is taken orally from one to two tablets up to three times a day. Restorative treatment should last about a month.

To stimulate tissue regeneration, the doctor may prescribe glucosamine, chondroprotectors, and hyaluronic acid. These drugs can be used internally, or as intramuscular or intra-articular injections. The latter have a more pronounced effect, acting directly at the site of the lesion. Sometimes, injection of artificial synovial fluid is practiced, which not only stimulates tissue regeneration, but also facilitates joint mobility.

A few days after the injury, a course of physiotherapy (phonophoresis, electrophoresis, laser therapy), magnetic therapy, UHF, exercise therapy, and massage are prescribed.

The use of ointment for stretching of the ligaments of the shoulder joint is considered effective. Ointments vary in the nature of their effect:

• Homeopathic ointments – improve local metabolic processes, slow down tissue destruction and restore them, and have an analgesic effect. Such preparations include Ziel T and Traumeel S.

Purpose T – strengthens the ligamentous apparatus, restores bone and cartilage tissue. The ointment is rubbed in up to 5 times a day, or applied as a compress.

Traumeel S – has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect. Apply a thin layer up to 3 times a day for a month.

• Distracting or warming ointments – improve tissue nutrition, relieve pain, and activate local blood circulation. These ointments include finalgon (applied with an applicator in an amount of up to 0.5 cm), capsicam (lightly rubbed in up to 3 times a day), nikoflex, efkamon, apizartron (contains bee venom), viprosal (contains snake venom).
• Chondroprotector ointments – slow down the degeneration processes in tissues, restore tissue metabolism. These are chondroitin, teraflex M, chondroxide ointments. Chondroprotectors are applied in a thin layer, lightly rubbed in and left until completely absorbed, up to 3 times a day.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments - reduce pain, relieve inflammation, but have the greatest number of side effects and contraindications. Such drugs cannot be used for a long period of time. These ointments include ketoprofen, nise, nimesulide, diclofenac, pyroxekam, ibuprofen, phenylbutazone.
• combined ointments – have, among other things, a resolving effect, reducing the risk of blood clots. A well-known drug of this group is Dolobene gel. It relieves inflammation, reduces swelling, and helps restore tissue. The gel is applied to clean skin up to 4 times a day.

Medicinal plants such as celery root, yarrow herb, and tansy flowers also have a certain analgesic effect. They are poured with boiling water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of raw material per glass of water, taken 1/3 of a glass up to 4 times a day before meals.

Prevention of shoulder sprains

In order to avoid ligament sprains, you should strengthen the ligament-muscle system. To do this, you need to exercise regularly, do morning exercises, swim, and lead an active lifestyle. When doing exercises, you should avoid sudden movements, especially if the muscles are not “warmed up” beforehand. The load should be increased gradually.

If a joint is injured, do not rush to treat it yourself - seek help at the emergency room or from an orthopedist or surgeon. Sometimes, under the guise of a sprain, a dislocation or ligament rupture can progress, which, if not treated properly, can lead to serious complications.

In order for the musculoskeletal system to be strong and invulnerable, it is necessary to pay attention to your diet. The daily diet should be rich in calcium and vitamin D. It is possible to take additional vitamin and mineral complexes, as well as drugs such as chondroitin and glucosamine. It is good if the food consumed is rich in collagen: this substance is contained in jelly, marmalade, jellied meat and fish, bone broths. It is also necessary to drink enough water, this will ensure good tissue elasticity and improve metabolism.

Shoulder Sprain Prognosis

The prognosis for a shoulder sprain is favorable. The patient usually recovers within a month, after which he or she can lead a normal life.

Shoulder sprains are not difficult to treat. However, your doctor's instructions should not be ignored; they must be followed strictly throughout the entire course of therapy. Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor, even if you feel relief. This way, you will protect yourself from relapses of joint pathology.