Rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

The rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint is most common in athletes and manifests itself, first of all, by a significant limitation of the mobility of the arm and shoulder.

One of the main characteristics of the shoulder joint is a sufficiently wide motor amplitude. But sometimes this can lead to destabilization of the joint. Thus, those positive qualities that promote free hand movements, in some cases can make the joint vulnerable: the fibrous membrane and the shoulder ligaments are not strong enough.

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Causes of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

The causes of rupture of ligaments are many, therefore they are divided into such variants:

• traumatic violation of the integrity of the ligaments, which occurred due to trauma of one degree or another;
• degenerative disruption of ligament integrity resulting from age or physical disorders of joint trophism (so-called shoulder joint wear).

In general, the most frequent reasons can be characterized as follows:

• professional features associated with frequent increased stress on the shoulder joint. With such loads, the integrity of the ligaments can be broken gradually;
• physical loads associated with certain sports, where increased activity of the shoulder joint is required - these are swimming, basketball, gymnastics or weightlifting;
• household traumatization - mainly, it is unsuccessful falls on the upper limb extended forward;
• malnutrition of the joint is a characteristic sign of age-related changes, when ligaments are weakened due to lack of necessary elements and vitamins;
• growth of osteophytes - bone growths, which simply "rub" the ligaments, which leads to their rupture. This reason also belongs to the category of age changes in the joint;
• hormonal imbalance - this factor is more often associated with the use of drugs of corticosteroid hormones, especially in large doses and for a long time. This reason is typical for people who are engaged in bodybuilding;
• constant and frequent smoking is a pernicious habit that makes our ligaments brittle and inelastic. In an inveterate smoker, even a slight unintended movement can provoke a dislocation or rupture of the ligament apparatus.

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Symptoms of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

Rupture of ligaments can be suspected in the following cases:

• visual manifestations of trauma are not observed, forearm and humerus are not deformed, there is soreness during palpation of the head of the shoulder joint and when trying to take the hand to the side;
• the first day after the injury, the pain may be minor or moderate, but the soreness becomes sharp with repeated damage to the shoulder, with an occasional turn by the limb, when putting on the sleeves of clothing;
• completely to take his hand to the side is impossible and very painful.

Often, the victim notes a feeling of crunching or light crackling at the time of injury. Perhaps the appearance of bruising at the site of the rupture, with time, in the absence of treatment, puffiness of the joint may form.

Consequences of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

There are two variants of rupture of the ligamentous apparatus:

• complete violation of the integrity of ligaments. This option assumes the presence of a complete rupture with damage to all the fibers of the ligament, or an absolute separation of the ligament from the site on which it was fixed;
• incomplete tearing of ligaments of the shoulder joint is also called a ligamentous extension. This trauma is an incision and incomplete rupture of some ligament fibers. In this case, the functions of the ligament apparatus are not violated.

Negative consequences from disruption of the integrity of the ligaments of the shoulder joint can occur with complete disruption of the integrity of the ligamentous apparatus, with unqualified and untimely assistance or with disregard for the doctor's recommendations. There may appear growths and nodal formations on the tendons, which later will interfere with the full functionality of the joint, and also create obstacles for nervous innervation. The latter can provoke pain in the joint area even after complete healing of ligament damage.

With insufficient medical measures, dystrophic disorders of the ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the shoulder may appear. It is also possible that the damaged portion of the ligament is not properly fused, which can subsequently cause soreness and numbness of the joint.

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Diagnosis of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

At the initial stage of the diagnosis, the doctor studies the mechanism of injury, for which he carefully examines the victim about the nature and cause of the trauma, as well as the patient's feelings. The examination procedure may include palpation, external examination, comparison of the damaged joint with the opposite healthy shoulder.

As a specific diagnostic methods, as a rule, the following procedures are used:

• the method of computed tomography can confirm or disprove the diagnosis of ligament rupture, and also subsequently evaluate the dynamics of the healing process;
• The method of magnetic resonance imaging provides an opportunity to determine the scale and extent of damage to the ligament apparatus;
• X-ray examination helps to exclude other possible consequences of traumatization: the presence of a fracture or dislocation;
• Ultrasound of the shoulder joint, used much less often.

A qualified diagnosis allows the doctor to correctly assign effective and adequate treatment.

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Treatment of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

Immediately after receiving the injury, the victim must provide first aid, which is:

• complete rest and fixation of the damaged limb with bandage or improvised means (a piece of cloth, scarf);
• cold on the injured shoulder, preferably ice;
• taking analgesic drugs (analgin, baralgin, nimesulide).

Further drug therapy should be appointed by the doctor after the victim has been treated at the trauma center and the necessary diagnostic procedures are carried out.

Operation with a rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint was previously performed in a rather traumatic manner. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon made an incision in the shoulder region, after which he sewed a severed tendon and sutured the incision. Currently, the operation is carried out using the method of arthroscopy, which provides for minimal violations of the integrity of the skin. In arthroscopy, two small incisions (or punctures) are performed. In one cut, the doctor enters an arthroscopic device with a camera on the end piece, and in the other the incision is a necessary tool for the operation. The procedure is so low-traumatic that the victim in the same day after the operation can leave the hospital.

In the postoperative period, one can begin to restore the shoulder device. To this end, methods of physiotherapy (use of diadynamic currents, ultra-high frequencies), massage procedures, acupuncture and warming creams are used. If you want to apply any medication yourself, be sure to consult your doctor in advance.

The approach to treatment of ligament rupture must necessarily be complex, only a comprehensive impact on the damage can guarantee a positive therapeutic result.

To fix the effect of conservative and surgical treatment, alternative therapies can be used. Natural alternative agents will help to remove the inflammatory process, reduce swelling of tissues and accelerate the healing phase. Recall that the application of cold is recommended the first two to three days after trauma. In the following days it is possible to apply warming procedures.

• Warm alcohol compress - take equal parts of water and good vodka, moisten the bandage and apply to the damaged shoulder. It is possible to use under an oilcloth and leave for the night.
• Hot compress of boiling milk is applied in hot form and is changed during cooling;
• Compress from the grated onion in half with sugar apply for 6-7 hours (you can at night). After the procedure, the skin is lubricated with massage ointment or vegetable oil;
• Lotions or baths with infusion of ledum are well removed inflammation and kill pathogenic microbes;
• Mix the usual clay with apple cider vinegar and apply to the affected area of the shoulder, periodically, until complete recovery.

Prevention of rupture of ligaments of the shoulder joint

To avoid stretching and breaking the shoulder ligaments, it is necessary to remember the following rules:

• before physical activity and training necessarily "warm up" the muscles, razmomnites;
• Avoid sudden movements, bends, jolts;
• with the help of physical exercises strengthen the muscular apparatus of the upper extremities, back, thoracic region;
• while studying in the gym, learn the correct technique of doing some exercises, do not hesitate to ask the coach for help;
• also the coach can and must teach you how to fall correctly, avoid landing on an elongated arm or elbow;
• muscle loads can only be increased gradually, slowly;
• properly and fully eat, drink enough water to maintain the normal elasticity of the joints;
• Do not smoke or take alcohol.

Prognosis of ligament rupture of the shoulder joint

The prognosis of a rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, while observing all the prescriptions of the doctor, can be favorable. Of course, if you do not treat the trauma, or start treatment later than required, the result can be disappointing: the ligamentous apparatus will not function properly, movements in the joint will become limited, if not impossible.

The rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint does not accept self-treatment. In case of any traumatic injuries of the shoulder, you should contact a trauma center where qualified specialists will rush to provide you with urgent therapeutic help and prescribe effective treatment.