What is a Separated Shoulder?
This type of injury tends to occur when an individual falls directly onto his/her shoulder. However, a “separated shoulder” – regardless of the name – isn’t a true injury of the shoulder joint itself.
Overuse Injuries – Part 1
With all of those activities – especially when started up again after a few months of cold weather inactivity – injuries can easily occur. One type of injury that you don’t hear very much about, though, is “overuse injuries”. So, we thought now would be a GREAT time to discuss some of the most common overuse injuries that we see so that YOU know what to look out for…or, better yet, avoid all together!
Rotator Cuff
Your rotator cuff located in your shoulder and is a network of muscles – four, to be exact – that come together as tendons to form a covering around the head of the humerus and work to keep your arm in the shoulder socket. The rotator cuff also attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade and helps to lift and rotate your arm. Between the bone and rotator cuff is a lubricating sac – called a bursa – which lets the tendons within the rotator cuff glide smoothly and freely when your arm is moved.
Common Shoulder Injuries
It should be noted that a good portion of shoulder issues tend to involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as opposed to the actual bone. Athletes are particularly prone to shoulder problems which often develop slowly via repetitive, intensive training sessions; however, anyone can succumb to such injuries.
Non-Surgical and Post-Surgical Treatment Options
If you’ve sustained an injury to your shoulder, it’s highly likely that your Orthopaedic Physician will prescribe a round of Physical Therapy (PT) as either a non-surgical intervention or for post-surgical treatment. If you need an injection in the shoulder, Physical Therapy after the injection can restore range of motion and assist with strengthening in order to avoid future problems. And, if surgery is required, MAKE SURE to follow your surgeon’s directions closely to protect the shoulder. Post-operative Physical Therapy can help regain normal motion and strength after your surgery.
A Brief Overview of the Shoulder
The main shoulder joint, also known as the “glenohumeral joint”, is a ball-and-socket joint (which is what allows for such a wide range of movement) that’s surrounded by a tough, fibrous sleeve (which is referred to as the “capsule”) that helps hold the joint together. The synovium, or inner layer of the capsule, produces a fluid that not only lubricates the joint but also nourishes the cartilage. The rotator cuff is comprised of a group of four muscles and their tendons, and is responsible for controlling movement and helping to hold the joint together as well.