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How Badly Are You Hurt: Shoulder Triage
What is the rotator cuff and why is it so frequently injured?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder. The medical names for these muscles are the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis. The purpose of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons is to hold the top of the humerus (upper arm bone), to the shoulder joint during movements that lift the arm away from the body or rotate the arm.
As many activities, both at home and at work, require frequent if not repetitive movements of the arm, understandably, the rotator cuff is frequently overused or injured.
What is the difference between a shoulder separation and a shoulder dislocation, and which injury is more serious?
Although both occur in the shoulder area, the injuries involve different joints. A shoulder separation is an injury to the joint that connects the lateral (outer) end of the clavicle (collarbone) to the top of the acromion (front of the shoulder). A shoulder dislocation occurs when the top of the humerus is dislodged from the glenoid (shoulder socket). Both injuries can vary in severity. However, the dislocation of the shoulder joint can frequently become a chronic problem, which then requires surgery to correct.
Why is my shoulder sore and painful after sleeping on my side at night?
This common complaint is usually from one of two causes. Although staying in one position for the majority of the night may place increased pressure on the shoulder, it shouldn't cause discomfort in the morning. Underlying irritation, inflammation, or arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint (where the collarbone meets the shoulder) will cause waking pain in the shoulder. Inflammation or tendonitis of the rotator cuff will produce similar symptoms of discomfort. Sleeping in an alternative position most easily treats both.
Why is the collarbone broken so frequently and how is it treated?
The clavicle (collarbone) is the most frequently fractured bone in the body. If one considers its position at the top and the front of the chest, it is easy to understand. Think of this bone as a small stick that has been securely fixed at both ends (to the sternum and the acromion) with nothing in between or below, except air (the lungs). Any force or blow to this bone, especially the middle section, will readily break the bone. Treatment for this common fracture is almost always limited to allowing the bone to heal in place. Attempts to move the broken ends back together is of limited success and most people with a fracture of the clavicle will have a small bump under the skin to remind them of their injury. In rare circumstances, surgical repair is recommended, especially if the fracture involves the A-C joint.
I recently dislocated my shoulder. Will this injury cause my shoulder to dislocate in the future, and will I need surgery now or in the future?
The first time a shoulder is dislocated, the orthopedic surgeon will reposition the joint back into the proper position. A shoulder immobilizer will be worn for one to several weeks to allow the tissues around the shoulder joint to heal. After the initial healing phase, progressive therapy is needed to recondition and strengthen these same structures with the goal of preventing dislocations in the future. Many first time dislocations remain first and only time dislocations; however, some individuals become prone to recurrent dislocations. These patients are said to have shoulder instability and are generally candidates for surgery to tighten the shoulder joint if the recurrent dislocations interferes with their occupational or recreational activities.
HealthyMe.md
Date Published: 2002-11-25
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