Shoulder Conditions
The shoulder is a complex joint built to allow movement in many directions: forward, backward, around in a circle, and away from the body. Muscles and ligaments help keep the shoulder stable and secure in your shoulder socket. We depend on our shoulders to support many of our most basic motions, including pushing, pulling, lifting, and throwing. Because the shoulder is a very flexible joint, it is highly vulnerable to injury.
Types of Shoulder Conditions & Treatment Options
Shoulder Arthritis
Arthritis, which is loss of the normal cartilage, or smooth surfaces that line your shoulder joint, makes moving your shoulder and arm painful. Shoulder arthritis symptoms generally include- shoulder pain, swelling, redness or heat in the area, trouble raising your arm etc
Treatment Options
- Treatment for shoulder arthritis usually depends on what specific type of arthritis you have
- It also depends on how severe the shoulder pain is
- Nonsurgical options may include: Resting your arm and avoiding painful activities Steroid injections Physical therapy etc.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule of connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder thickens and contracts, leading to stiffness and shoulder pain from restricted movement.
Causes- The condition generally affects adults ages 40 to 60 and can be caused by diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s, or cardiac disease. It can also result from immobilizing the shoulder too long after an injury, which is why a vital part of any shoulder recovery is physical therapy.
Treatment Options
- Physicians typically treat this condition with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy.
- This approach is successful in 90 percent of cases.
- For those who do not experience relief for two to three years, surgical options will be explored.
Rotator Cuff Conditions
Three bones form the shoulder joint: the collarbone, the upper arm bone, and the shoulder blade. Together, these bones give the shoulder its wide range of motion. Attached to the shoulder is a group of muscles known collectively as the rotator cuff. These keep your arm in place while allowing it to move up and around.
Treatment Options
- Treatment goals include reducing pain and inflammation.
- Rest, hot/cold compression, and splinting usually are recommended.
- If those treatments are not successful, a physician may provide corticosteroid injections, recommend physical therapy, and in the most severe cases, perform surgery.
Shoulder Dislocations
To treat a dislocated shoulder, a physician uses a process called closed reduction that places the upper arm back into the socket. Pain relief is almost immediate. Physicians typically recommend that, after treatment, the shoulder be immobilized in a sling or other device for a few weeks.
Treatment Options
- To treat a dislocated shoulder, a physician uses a process called closed reduction that places the upper arm back into the socket
- Pain relief is almost immediate.
- Physicians typically recommend that after treatment the shoulder be immobilized in a sling or other device for a few week
Fractures
Most shoulder fractures can be treated by setting the joint into place and using a sling or strap to immobilize it. After a period of healing, rehabilitation exercises are recommended to promote shoulder strength and motion. More severe cases, in which fracture fragments have been displaced from their normal position, surgery may be necessary to realign the shoulder.
Treatment Options
- Most shoulder fractures can be treated by setting the joint into place and using a sling or strap to immobilize it.
- After a period of healing, rehabilitation exercises are recommended to promote shoulder strength and motion.
- In more severe cases, in which fracture fragments have been displaced from their normal position, surgery may be necessary to realign the shoulder.
Shoulder Instability
Most cases of shoulder instability respond well to conservative treatment involving intensive rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and help hold the shoulder in place. In cases where nonsurgical methods are unsuccessful, surgical options—such as coracoids transfer for shoulder instability—will be explored.
Treatment Options
- Most cases of shoulder instability respond well to conservative treatment involving intensive rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and help hold the shoulder in place.
- In cases where nonsurgical methods are unsuccessful, surgical options such as coracoids transfer for shoulder instability will be explored.
Shoulder Separation
Treatment also depends upon the severity of the injury. Physicians categorize shoulder separation into six levels. Depending upon the severity level of the separation, treatment can range from rest, ice, and a sling to surgical procedures
Treatment Options
- Treatment depends upon the severity of the injury.
- Physicians categorize shoulder separation into six levels.
- Depending upon the severity level of the separation, treatment can range from rest, ice, and a sling to surgical procedures