Shoulder sprain treatment. Shoulder muscle strain: symptoms. Causes and mechanism of occurrence

If we adhere to the theory that labor made a man out of a monkey, then the first step in this long and difficult path belongs to the shoulder joint. It was its unique structure that made it possible for the underlying segments of the upper limb to acquire functional features unusual for other mammals.

In turn, having significantly expanded their functions from a banal support when moving, human hands have become one of the most injured parts of the body. In this regard, injuries that often accompany rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint are in the area of special attention of clinicians. And the root cause of this is the possible loss of ability to work and, worse, the disability of a person with an injury that was treated incorrectly or at the wrong time.

Brief anatomical information

The uniqueness of the shoulder joint is expressed in the ratio of its true articular surfaces. Two bones are directly involved in the formation of this skeletal element: the scapula and the humerus. The articular surface of the humerus is represented by a spherical head. As for the concave surface of the oval-shaped glenoid cavity of the scapula, its area is approximately four times smaller than the area of the adjacent ball.

The missing contact on the side of the scapula is compensated by a cartilaginous ring - a dense connective tissue structure called the labrum. It is this fibrous element, together with the capsule surrounding the joint, that allows it to be in the correct anatomical relationship and at the same time perform that incredible range of movements that is possible in the most mobile of all other joints.

Ligaments that hold the joint together and muscles that give movement

The powerful coracobrachial ligament helps the thin synovial membrane of the joint capsule maintain its anatomical structure. Together with it, the joint is held in place by the capsules of the tendon of the biceps brachii (biceps) and subscapularis muscles, which pass through extra-articular inversions. It is these three connective tissue strands that suffer if the ligaments of the shoulder joint rupture.

The subscapularis, deltoid, supra- and subosseous, teres major and minor, as well as the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles give the joint a wide range of movements around all three axes. does not take part in the movements of the shoulder joint.

Injuries and causes of injury

Among the most common injuries to the shoulder joint are bruises. There may be a joint with partial or complete rupture or without it. Joint dislocations, intra-articular or avulsion fractures of extra-articular fragments (at the attachment point of the joint ligaments) are among the most severe injuries.

The main causes of damage to the shoulder joint are direct or indirect mechanical effects on its structures. This can be a direct blow and a fall on an outstretched hand. Sudden excessive tension of the muscles that move the joint, or sudden movement of a large volume can cause both sprain and dislocation in the joint. As a rule, the accompanying rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint (photo presented below) requires not only treatment of the injury itself, but also restoration of the integrity of the ligamentous apparatus.

Signs of ligament rupture

Injury can occur when a fall occurs on an outstretched or outstretched arm. It is also possible as a result of a sudden movement within the maximum permissible volume or hanging from an arm, for example, when falling from a height.

The symptoms accompanying damage to the capsule and rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint are characterized by sharp pain at the time of injury and, which is especially indicative of a rupture, during movements that repeat the mechanism of injury. Next, swelling of the damaged area develops, which changes the external configuration of the joint. In addition to edema, blood leaking from damaged vessels near tendons or muscles may take part in the formation of swelling.

Additional methods for assessing injury severity

Among the clinical research methods that allow the traumatologist to determine whether there is a partial rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint or their complete damage, ultrasound diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging stand out. Both methods do not carry radiation exposure, but have a very large dose. In particular, MRI allows you to determine the diagnosis and choice of treatment tactics with maximum confidence.

X-rays are carried out to exclude bone injuries: fractures (including avulsions), dislocations associated with a fracture, and dislocations in the shoulder joint. Joint puncture is often used. Arthroscopy is performed if degenerative changes in the connective tissue structures of the joint or damage to the capsule are suspected. In some cases, arthrography is used.

Severity of damage

The classic division into simple, moderate and severe degrees of injury, also in relation to ligament rupture. Mild injuries of the shoulder joint, relative to the ligamentous apparatus, include sprains with partial damage to the fibers of the ligaments, while maintaining the integrity of the vessels, nerves and muscles. The average degree is characterized by partial tearing of tendon fibers; the muscles surrounding the injured area are involved in the process; the joint capsule may be damaged. The first degree refers to a sprain, the second - a sprain with a partial tear.

Severe damage is accompanied by a complete violation of the integrity of the tendon (ligament) structure - rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, damage to local vessels, involvement of nerves and defects of the joint capsule. At this degree, intra-articular and avulsion fractures, hemorrhages into the joint (hemarthrosis) are possible.

Choice of treatment tactics

Depending on the severity of the damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the shoulder joint, conservative or surgical treatment can be used. If there is an incomplete rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, treatment is limited to conservative methods. Anesthesia and immobilization (immobilization) are used. It is possible to apply a bandage or plaster cast, depending on the severity, nature of the injury and the volume of the affected structures. Bandage or plaster immobilization can be replaced by moderate or rigid fixation joint orthoses.

In case of a complete rupture, especially with damage to the muscles and joint capsule, surgical treatment is used. The victim requires hospitalization in a trauma hospital and further long-term rehabilitation after discharge from the hospital.

Operational aid for defect recovery

The sooner surgery to correct a ruptured shoulder ligament is applied, the greater the chance of complete restoration of joint function and the lower the percentage of injury complications. Surgical restoration of a damaged ligament (tendon), adjacent muscles, damaged vessels and elimination of a capsule defect comes down to stitching them together.

Under general anesthesia (narcosis) with direct access over the damaged locus, layer-by-layer dissection and tissue separation are performed. Detected defects are sutured. The wound is closed in layers. In the early postoperative period, immobilization with a plaster cast with a window for a postoperative suture is used.

The timing of plaster immobilization and hospital treatment is determined by the volume of the affected structures. An important factor for the number of bed days is the patient’s age, the nature of his work activity and concomitant diseases.

Elbow ligament damage

Very rare in everyday conditions, this injury is more common among professional athletes when an active and sharp swing of the arm, bent at the elbow, is used. The risk group primarily includes tennis players, golfers, handball players, baseball players, water polo players and horse polo players.

The annular ligament of the radius, collateral ulnar or radial ligament is most often injured. A sign of damage is pain that increases with movement. Swelling and hemorrhages into surrounding tissues are characteristic. Possible hemarthrosis. If there is a complete rupture of the ligaments, there may be a slight displacement of the forearm bones in the joint.

X-rays will help differentiate a fracture from a dislocation. An MRI will show where the conservative tear is located in partial and incomplete ruptures. Immobilization is used for several weeks. In case of a complete rupture, surgical repair of the damaged ligaments is performed.

Brief anatomy of the wrist joint

The joint, complex in its structure, is formed by the articular surface of the radius and cartilaginous plate of the ulna on the side of the forearm and the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum on the side of the hand. The pisiform bone is located deep within the tendon and does not directly participate in the formation of the joint.

The joint is strengthened by five ligaments. From the side of the palm these are the ulnar and wrist ligaments, from the dorsal surface - the dorsal ligament of the hand. The lateral palmar (thumb side) and ulnar (little finger side) ligaments run along the sides.

Damage to the wrist ligaments is much less common than torn shoulder ligaments. But more often than elbow ligaments.

Wrist ligament rupture

The mechanism of injury is associated with a fall on an outstretched arm or a blow to a bent or straightened hand. The position of the hand at the time of injury is directly important in determining which ligament may be damaged. The connective tissue structure opposite to the bend of the hand is most severely injured.

The leading signs of ligament damage are pain, swelling, dysfunction of the joint and soft tissue hematoma. If there is pain when moving the fingers or it increases sharply when turning the joint, then a rupture of the ligaments of the wrist joint can be suspected. Symptoms are complemented in diagnosis by hardware studies: radiography - to exclude bone fractures, ultrasound and/or MRI. They are necessary to determine the nature of damage to the ligaments and other soft tissues surrounding the joint.

As with any case, if there is a torn wrist ligament, treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. For mild and moderate severity, conservative tactics are used, for severe severity, surgical tactics are used.

Regardless of what kind of damage has occurred, what is the nature of the violation of the integrity of the joint structures, which joint is injured, the wrist, the elbow, or there is a partial or complete rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, treatment should always be prescribed by a medical specialist. A consultation in a specialized department (trauma center, a traumatologist in a clinic or in the emergency department of a trauma hospital) is required. This is especially true for childhood trauma, since young patients have a number of age-related characteristics that can mask severe trauma. And failure to timely seek competent medical help can lead to negative long-term consequences.

The function of the shoulder joint is to provide various movements of the arm in three projections. To perform this function, the joint must have a complex structure. The shoulder joint includes the scapula, humerus, and collarbone. The head of the humerus is immersed in the glenoid cavity of the scapula, forming an articulation. Tendons and ligaments surround the bones. Joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles provide the necessary mobility of the joint. Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that connect all parts of the joint and muscles. Ligaments control the movements of the joint, allowing permitted movements and blocking unusual movements.

To perform their function, ligaments have the properties of elasticity and elasticity. If external influences exceed permissible limits, a sprain of the ligaments of the shoulder joint or even may occur. A sprain causes the muscles to relax, causing changes in the normal anatomical position of the joint. As a result, the ability to perform certain movements may be lost, and attempting to perform them causes pain.

Causes and Factors Leading to Shoulder Strain

Among the variety of reasons, we can highlight:

Domestic or sports physical activity exceeding physiologically acceptable ones. Sudden lifting of weights, or lifting weights from physiologically unsuccessful positions, prolonged holding of weights.
Decreased firmness and elasticity of the ligaments due to lack of nutrition, due to poor circulation in the shoulder joint. Usually seen in old age.
Bone tissue sometimes grows greatly. These growths, called osteophytes, are usually localized at the attachment points of muscles and ligaments, injuring them.

Injuries to the joint, with all their diversity, come down to injuries that occur when the arms are thrown out sharply, or from falling onto outstretched arms, or from blows to the upper part of the shoulder joint.
Taking hormones negatively affects the ligaments and muscles of all joints.
Smoking, alcohol, and drugs disrupt the normal course of almost all biochemical processes in the body, which means they weaken the ligamentous apparatus of all joints.

Factors contributing to shoulder sprains:

Participation in certain sports: weightlifting, martial arts, tennis, throwing objects and the like.
Elderly age.
Presence of diseases requiring hormonal therapy.

Excess body weight.
Congenital defects and ligamentous weakness.

Preventing Shoulder Strains

The causes and factors that cause sprains and ruptures of shoulder ligaments also indicate ways to prevent this condition. To prevent shoulder sprains, the following recommendations must be followed:

Reducing household and physical activity to physiological norms.
Performing a certain set of exercises aimed at strengthening the ligamentous apparatus and increasing the elasticity of the ligaments.
A balanced diet and taking certain vitamin complexes or dietary supplements to nourish the joints.

Mandatory preliminary warm-up before training, allocating sufficient time for this.
Treatment of concomitant diseases.
Normalization of body weight, giving up bad habits.
Normalization of psychological state.
Physical education classes.

Symptoms

The main symptom is severe pain that occurs immediately after the injury. An attempt to move the hand causes it to intensify. Usually the pain is acute at first, but over time it can change in nature, dull and become worse. Less common, but there are situations when the pain increases over time. One or two hours after the injury, swelling of the joint occurs, followed by possible bruising and increased temperature in the damaged area. A characteristic feature is that the tumor increases the size of the shoulder, but does not change its normal shape. To provide first aid to a victim with suspected sprain or rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint, it is recommended to do the following:

Remove the injured hand from clothing and carefully secure it using available means to prevent any movement.
Apply cold to the sore spot: compress or ice.

If the pain is severe, it is worth giving the victim painkillers, for example, analgin, paracetamol, spasgan.
Take the necessary measures to deliver the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible for a correct diagnosis.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made by a doctor based on a survey and examination of the patient. Because the symptoms of a shoulder sprain are similar to those of a shoulder fracture, it can sometimes be difficult to separate the two. To clarify the diagnosis, the following may be prescribed: an X-ray examination of the shoulder joint, which allows assessing changes in the condition of the soft tissues. For a more detailed assessment of changes in soft tissues, it is sometimes prescribed, but this is required quite rarely.

Find out more about preparation for the MRI procedure and contraindications from Elena Aleksandrovna Mershina, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Tomography Department at the Central Clinical Hospital:

Treatment

The choice of treatment method is determined by the severity of the injuries received. There are three degrees of shoulder sprain:

1st degree - several fibers from the ligament are torn. The pain is moderately intense, movements of the injured limb are somewhat limited.
2nd degree - the capsule ligament is torn and the muscles are damaged. The pain is intense, swelling occurs and increases, and a subcutaneous hematoma may appear. Trying to move the limb causes increased pain.
Grade 3 - one or more ligaments are completely torn. The process affects not only the ligaments, but the capsule and adjacent muscles of the joint. The pain is very severe, up to the occurrence of painful shock.

For grade 1 and 2 sprains, conservative treatment methods are used. A grade 1 sprain can be treated at home. Therapy is divided into primary and secondary.

Primary therapy

The main task of primary therapy is to create conditions for complete rest of the damaged joint in the first days. It is recommended to apply ice for 20-30 minutes, the procedure should be repeated 5-6 times a day. After 3 days, exposure to cold should be replaced with compresses from infusions or decoctions of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The list of such herbs is extremely diverse, they include, for example:

Chamomile;
Lavender;
Melissa;
Mint;

Thyme;
Sage;
Eucalyptus.

If necessary, medication continues to be taken; vitamin-mineral complexes or dietary supplements are usually added to nourish the joints and ligaments. They are also indicated during the recovery period; they improve tissue nutrition and eliminate discomfort in the affected joint. Such as, for example, “finalgon” and “capsicam”.

How quickly does recovery occur?

The result of adequate, timely and carefully carried out treatment and rehabilitation is the complete restoration of the functional capabilities of the limb. The time required for this depends, of course, on the degree of damage to the shoulder ligaments. If we are talking about 1st degree, it is 10-14 days. If it’s a grade 2 sprain, it’s a month or a month and a half. In the case of degree 3 – up to six months. The timing is approximate, since a lot is determined by the individual characteristics of the patient: age, state of health, presence of bad habits.

What if a shoulder sprain is left untreated?

If a sprain of the shoulder joint is not treated or medical recommendations are ignored, this leads to limited mobility of the upper limb, and can lead to such serious complications as bursitis and. These are serious diseases that can significantly worsen the quality of life, and in some cases even lead to disability.

Everyone is well aware of the phrase: it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it, much less cure it. It is repeated so often that it seems trivial, but this does not cease to be true. The most reliable insurance against illness is prevention. If a shoulder sprain has already occurred, it is necessary to direct all efforts to strictly follow the treatment recommendations. In this case, the cure will occur completely and in as short a time as possible.

Find out how to make homemade ointment for illness. Professor-phytotherapist Sergei Kiselev talks about this in this video:

The most common injury to the upper extremities is rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint. The treatment is expected to be long-term, but the ligaments can be restored and strengthened. Such injuries are usually suffered by athletes and people involved in active recreation. But in ordinary situations, this can also happen, for example, when falling on the stairs, when sliding down a hill, in the gym, in many other places.

Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue. Their main function is to keep the joints stable, prevent them from moving, and prevent dislocations. The ligaments of the upper limbs are very strong and elastic. They are able to withstand heavy loads for a long time. But if the resistance force is less than the breaking force, for example, the impact force, then they will tear.

The causes of shoulder ligament damage are:

heavy physical activity, for example, during certain sports;
decreased blood supply to the joint, ligaments, which occurs due to illness or is associated with age-related changes;
severe proliferation of osteophytes, disrupting the structure of the joint;
regular microtrauma due to lifting heavy weights;
prolonged smoking makes the ligaments weak, even minor loads can damage them;
frequent injuries to the shoulder girdle;
long-term use of corticosteroids. They can cause weakness of muscles and ligaments.

Important! With weak upper limbs, even a small friendly blow to the shoulder can cause rupture of ligaments in the shoulder joint. Such weakening is possible in old age.

When a shoulder ligament ruptures, symptoms will not be immediately noticeable. Signs will appear after some time and will become more intense over time. Sometimes even on the first day you will not feel pain, only it will be difficult to raise your arms to get dressed, it will be difficult to completely move the injured arm to the side.

Symptoms:

pain at the site of the rupture, which increases with palpation;
limitation of the range of motion of the injured arm;
swelling in the area of the damaged joint;
numbness in the injured shoulder (not always);
bruises under the skin at the site of injury.

Attention! Since the rupture of the ligaments of the shoulder joint is not pronounced, the symptoms are not very painful, the injured people often refuse medical help. But we must remember that after a few hours or the next day the pain will become stronger, the injured arm will stop moving, and you will still have to see a doctor. So it is better to do this immediately after injury.

Classification

The duration of treatment and recovery period depends on many factors. Young people will heal faster than older people. It is important when a person sought medical help, how he was treated, and the general condition of the body. The severity of the injury is of great importance.

1st degree. The joint remains intact. The blood vessels were not damaged, the nerves remained in normal condition. The ligaments are slightly torn. A small number of tendons are damaged. The pain is moderate, there is a slight limitation in the range of motion of the arm. There is almost no swelling. Full recovery will occur in about 2 weeks.
2nd degree. A large number of tendon fibers are torn. Muscles and joints are damaged. The pain is severe, swelling has appeared, and the injury site is red. The mobility of the arm is limited, it cannot be raised, it is difficult to move it to the side. With proper treatment, a positive result will be visible within 6 weeks.

3rd degree. There is a complete rupture of the shoulder joint ligaments. The joint capsule is damaged. Intra-articular fractures and hemorrhages into the joint itself are possible. Recovery from such a degree of injury will take a long time, and it is difficult to predict the recovery time. In special cases, surgery cannot be avoided.

When a ligament is completely torn, it is torn from its attachment to the bone or separated into pieces. But sometimes some of the fibers do not break, they only increase in length. In this case, all functions are preserved. This type of rupture is called a sprain.

Treatment tactics

Before making a decision on how to treat, a diagnosis is carried out. This may be an x-ray, computed tomography or ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging will best show all the nuances. Using a computer, the doctor will examine the injury site from all sides, see the condition of the joints, and determine treatment methods.

Damage to the shoulder or other organ can happen to anyone, for example, at a skating rink, on the street, or in the gym. If you witness a person receiving such an injury, you must be able to provide first aid.

How can I help you:

complete rest of the damaged organ - you need to fix the hand using any available material so that it does not move;
cold on the sore spot - ice is better, for about 15 minutes;
painkiller for the victim - give the person analgin, baralgin, paracetamol.

Important! There is no need to try to straighten the arm yourself. Without a diagnostic test, it is difficult to understand what happened. It is better not to touch the damaged area, but to ensure peace and quickly get to the doctor.

When the ligaments of the shoulder joint are torn, the treatment is different - both medication and physiotherapy. It all depends on the severity of the damage. For minor injuries, surgery is not required. A special bandage is applied that does not compress the hand and does not interfere with blood circulation. If the damage is severe enough, then a cast must be applied so that the ligaments have the opportunity to heal correctly. The hand is given rest for about three days, then it is necessary to develop the mobility of the hand. There are special exercises for this.

To reduce swelling, cold compresses are applied to the damaged area for 2-3 days, and subsequently thermal procedures will be prescribed for rehabilitation.

If the rupture is complete, surgery is performed. Modern surgery (arthroscopy) is a very high-tech procedure. It is carried out through two punctures. The modern technique is so high-class that the patient can go home the same day after the operation.

Recovery period

Only comprehensive treatment will lead to a positive result, so recovery is as important as therapy. There is no point in undergoing treatment if the ligamentous apparatus remains the same flabby, weak, and susceptible to injury.

After the main treatment, rehabilitation of the shoulder girdle and ligaments takes place. For this, patients are recommended to undergo physiotherapeutic treatment. This may include:

dynamic current procedures;
ultra high frequency courses;
special therapeutic massage;
course of warming creams.

Important! If the patient wants to undergo some additional physical procedure, he must coordinate this with the attending physician.

All these methods improve blood flow and promote healing. During this period, doctors recommend wearing a special support bandage.

Help from traditional medicine

All traditional medicine recipes are aimed at reducing swelling and relieving the inflammatory process. They give a warming effect. Cold compresses are recommended only in the first three days after injury, then heat is used in treatment.

Milk compress. You need to boil the milk, make a compress, and apply it to the damaged area. The milk should be at the temperature that the patient can withstand. If the compress cools down, you need to replace it with a new one.
Clay compress. Dilute the clay with apple cider vinegar to the consistency of plasticine and make a compress.
Vodka compress. It is necessary to take equal parts of water and vodka, make a compress, put it on the sore spot, and cover it with cellophane film on top. You can leave the compress on the sore spot overnight.
Onion compress. Fresh onions are grated, mixed in equal parts with sugar, and a compress is made. At the site where the compress is applied, the skin may be irritated; this is a reaction to the onion. Then the irritated area can be lubricated with baby cream or any moisturizer.

Before using traditional methods of treatment, it is better to consult a doctor; such methods can cause allergies, especially in people prone to dermatitis. Using such means, the patient himself is responsible for how and how long the damaged area heals. Proper recovery and following the recommendations of doctors will help you quickly go through the rehabilitation period.

Prevention measures

Ligament injuries can happen at any age. In youth - due to active movement, in old age - due to age-related changes, aging of internal organs and systems.

You need to strengthen your body. Strong loads at any age will benefit the body, increase endurance, elasticity of ligaments, and supply them with oxygen.

To prevent damage to the shoulder ligaments, certain rules must be followed:

Give up bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse). They greatly weaken the body. This affects all organs, they become decrepit, age, and wear out ahead of time. Even a small load leads to damage, and recovery takes a long period, healing does not occur completely.

Conclusion

A ligament rupture requires a mandatory examination by a doctor. You cannot treat yourself. It is also not recommended to voluntarily stop the course of treatment or recovery when the pain disappears; you must complete the full course to the end.

If you do not follow the instructions of doctors, complications may arise, for example, the ligaments will not heal properly. Because of this, numbness will be felt in the joint, and dystrophic changes may appear. All this will lead to disruption of the normal functioning of the hand. No one can predict how this will turn out in the future. In severe cases, the mobility of the upper limb may be severely limited, which will lead to disability.

When a shoulder muscle strain occurs, treatment must be provided in a timely manner, because an advanced injury requires longer rehabilitation and can also lead to more serious injuries in the future. Strained shoulder muscles are quite common. This injury can be encountered not only by people actively involved in sports, but also by any other person who does not have an active lifestyle. This can be caused by any mechanical overload or incorrect position of the shoulder during any movement. In many cases, the injury is not accompanied by acute, disturbing pain, so the person does not immediately seek help from specialists.

Etiology of shoulder injury

Muscle sprain is caused by excessive tension of muscles and ligaments, their overstrain under the influence of loads above the norm acceptable for the human body. This injury can also occur at home during heavy physical work, inept lifting of objects with heavy weight, or prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.
There are also certain factors that create favorable conditions for such injury. These include poor development of the muscular system and a low level of daily human activity.

A large number of people who most often experience such injuries are children and the elderly, due to the weakness of their muscles.

There are three degrees of sprain depending on the severity of the injury:

Thus, a moderate degree of muscle strain is characterized by slight pain, which disappears after a few days.
With a moderate sprain, painful contractions and weakness of the muscle that was damaged are observed.
The third degree is characterized by complete ruptures to which muscle joints and tendons are exposed, which is accompanied by severe pain and loss of the ability to contract the damaged muscle. The appearance of tumors, internal bleeding, and bruising in the area of injury may occur.

Symptoms of a Shoulder Strain

The shoulder area refers to the part of the arm from the shoulder joint to the elbow. Directly under the shoulder girdle is the upper region, which is the connecting link between the arm and the body.
It consists of the major and minor, deltoid, subosseous and periosteal, subscapularis and teres muscles. It is extremely important to distinguish sprains from possible shoulder dislocations, which is not only possible for specialists. In the case of muscle sprains of the shoulder, the configuration of the arm is fully preserved.
Often, shoulder muscle strains are accompanied by pain, swelling, or swelling in the area of the injury. In some cases, hematomas are also observed. In this case, pain can be either minor or severe and increases during movements and palpation.
In frequent cases, the local temperature rises, redness of the damaged area and the appearance of bruises are observed. Often, the lack of necessary and timely treatment leads to the development of primary tendinitis. More serious complications include calcific brachial bursitis, periarthritis and biceps tendinitis.

Diagnosis of shoulder sprains

Carrying out diagnostics for this injury is advisable in most cases, since it is possible to obtain various associated injuries, for example, dislocation of the shoulder joint. Modern medicine offers the following effective methods for diagnosing sprains:

X-ray examination is the most widely used method to exclude or confirm the presence of a fracture, dislocation or other pathologies;
MRI is a modern method that allows for a layer-by-layer study of the characteristics of soft tissue damage.

Treatment for Shoulder Strain

When a shoulder muscle strain occurs, treatment should be comprehensive and consist of measures to relieve pain, eliminate inflammation, restore previous motor functions and prevent possible complications.

A muscle strain can be treated for several days or several months. It all depends only on the degree of damage and how quickly first aid was provided and treatment was started. If muscle sprain is accompanied by damage and ruptures of ligaments, then the recovery period is significantly delayed.
In the case of such an injury, complete immobilization (absence of movement) of the area that was damaged must be ensured during the first two days. This is achieved with the help of various bandages, supports or other available means. But we should not forget that as a result of prolonged immobilization of the injured shoulder, contractures may begin to develop.
During the first days after injury, it is necessary to apply cold compresses to the damaged area every 3 hours. For this purpose, you can use ready-made ice packs, cubes pre-wrapped in a towel, or even bags of frozen vegetables.
The compress should be kept for half an hour, but applying ice directly to the naked body is strictly prohibited. The skin should be protected and covered with a towel or napkins.
Since muscle strain is often accompanied by severe pain, it is necessary to take painkillers such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen. After two days, you can begin procedures for rubbing the injured shoulder using special gels and ointments.
When the shoulder muscles are damaged, fiber ruptures very often occur, which happens in conditions of sharp contractions of the biceps muscles. In such situations, it becomes necessary to apply a plaster bandage, the duration of which is one month. If bruising is noticeable at the site of injury, which is a symptom of muscle rupture, then it is also necessary to apply an elastic bandage.
After this period, the bandage is removed and the actual treatment procedures begin, which include massage, physiotherapy and exercise therapy. Often the duration of the recovery process is about two months, but the course of treatment and duration is determined by the specialist strictly individually.
In more severe cases, which are characterized by rupture of the shoulder ligaments and muscles, resolution is possible through surgery. This is done to prevent primary shoulder dislocations.

Recovery period after a shoulder muscle strain

The injured shoulder is subjected to regular development after pain has decreased. This is done through rehabilitation exercises. They consist primarily of circular movements and abduction of the arms to the sides.

After 14 days, you can begin performing lightly weighted exercises. Thanks to this program, the functions of the shoulder muscle are quickly restored. It is extremely important to properly prepare the muscle before directly performing the exercises, which involves warming it up using a special ointment or gel.
If the exercises are accompanied by pain, all movements must be stopped. Much depends on the degree of damage, because in more complex cases, rehabilitation exercises must be approached with extreme caution.

A shoulder sprain is an injury in which a partial tear of the muscle fibers occurs. The elasticity of the ligaments does not withstand loads and pressure, and they become injured.

The degree of sprain depending on the area of damage and severity:

Minor tears of individual muscle fibers. The pain is moderate. The recovery period is 2 weeks.
Sprain with extensive damage to the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the shoulder joint. The pain is pronounced. Swelling and hematoma in the shoulder area. The recovery period is several months, depending on the patient’s age and body characteristics.
Stretching is accompanied by constant severe pain. Violation of the integrity of tendons and muscle fibers. Diffuse edema and extensive hematoma. The recovery period can take up to 1–2 years.

Signs of a Shoulder Strain

The main symptom of a shoulder sprain is pain. Its intensity depends on the degree of damage to muscle fibers and the nature of the injury. A person experiences pain when at rest. With movement or palpation, the pain intensifies, becoming sharp. A person may experience aching pain for a long time during the rehabilitation period.

Symptoms of injury:

swelling and swelling due to inflammation of the muscles in the shoulder area;
redness, subcutaneous hematomas in the joint area;
restriction of joint movements;
hot skin as a result of increased local temperature ─ the body’s reaction to injury.

A sprained ligament can cause long-term limitation of movement in the shoulder. This poses a threat to the physiological functionality of the hand, which can affect the mobility of the entire human body.

Important! One may come across the opinion that the symptoms of shoulder sprain and dislocation are the same, and without x-rays it is impossible to differentiate them. This is wrong. When a sprain occurs, the victim may be able to tolerate the pain, despite its intensity. When a dislocation occurs, the pain is unbearable; a person needs pain blockade and prevention of the development of pain shock. The second distinctive feature is that with a dislocation, the geometry of the shoulder is noticeably disrupted, and with a sprain, only swelling is observed.

Treatment of shoulder sprain

At the initial stage, in order not to worsen the condition, it is important to correctly provide first aid:

immobilization ─ immobilize the entire shoulder girdle; for this you can use a cloth, scarf, or sheet;
cold to the injury site ─ an ice pack or bag, a bottle of cold water;
painkillers ─ Nurofen, Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen.

Treatment of a sprained shoulder joint includes a set of measures. To restore integrity and prevent possible re-traumatization of tissues, the shoulder must be motionless. For these purposes, the patient is given an immobilization bandage; in case of severe injury, a splint is applied.

In the first days, to prevent severe septic complications, ice is used to cool and relieve inflammation.

You can immobilize the shoulder girdle by wearing a special fixing bandage

In the first 10-14 days, systematic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed. They relieve pain and reduce swelling. For severe injury, drugs are prescribed intramuscularly.

An effective medical method to treat sprains is the use of ointments. They are prescribed after the acute phase has passed: inflammation and swelling have decreased. Medicinal properties of ointments:

pain reliever;
warming;
increasing blood circulation;
restorative;
anti-inflammatory;
absorbable.

Therapeutic exercise is a mandatory part of the rehabilitation period, without which it is impossible to fully restore the functions and performance of the shoulder joint. It begins to be carried out already on the third day after the injury. Prolonged immobility can provoke congestive complications.

FLK includes restorative gymnastics, swimming and water exercises, and joint development using special simulators. Along with physical therapy, a course of therapeutic massage and physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.

The entire shoulder girdle is massaged, starting from the healthy side, gradually moving to the injured side, without affecting the affected area. The following physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed:

electrophoresis using medicinal solutions;
magnetic therapy;
paraffin applications;
mud therapy;
amplipulse

To restore muscle tissue and ligaments, vitamin therapy is prescribed:

vitamins ─ A, D, E, C;
polyunsaturated fatty acids ─ Omega 3;
antioxidants.

Timely medical assistance is the key to successful treatment and quick recovery. In the absence of such an approach, chronic dysfunction of the shoulder joint develops.