Every joint of the body is important but if you are an athlete, then the power of the musculoskeletal system gains more importance. But there are some sports that demand more force from some particular joints of the body. Today, we will be discussing some sports that require extra strength from shoulder joints.

Joints present in the shoulder- know their functions

The shoulder joint is a unique ball and socket due to its allowed range of motion and especially when it’s too fragile to move due to a smaller socket than the upper arm bone. Basically, it is formed by the attachment of the humerus and the scapula. Many ligaments and tissues engulf this joint to provide stability. But when we segregate the complete shoulder joint, then 4 distinct joints can be found in the shoulder that co-relate and co-depends on this single joint. These are the following:

• Sternoclavicular joint

This joint consists of the medial aspect of the clavicle (collarbone), the sternum manubrium (breastbone), and the articular disc. The disc acts as a protection and fractures before the joint gets dislocated. It facilitates many movements like axial rotation, protraction/retraction, and elevation/depression.

• Scapulothoracic joint

It is the anterior articulation between the thorax and scapula. This joint allows various movements like up/down rotation, elevation/depression, and protraction/retraction.

• Aromioclavicular joint

It is responsible to keep up the connection between the scapula and collarbone while suspending the upper portion of the shoulder.  This joint allows rotation in 3 different planes and those are- up/down, internal/external, and anterior/posterior. Moreover, this joint is the only joint that can help in making the interaction between the scapula & posterior thorax.

• Glenohumeral joint

This joint holds the responsibility to keep the upper portion of the shoulder attached to the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff muscles play an important role in keeping this joint intact as it is too fragile to perform stable movements. It’s a structural weakness that makes it prone to dislocation. As it is the most flexible point, it helps in various movements like internal/external rotation, arms lifting, flexion, and many more.

Sports and the intensity of shoulder power

There are many sports that involve a high risk to the shoulder. Let’s list some of them.

• Baseball & cricketers

Baseball players and cricketers usually have the pressure to hit high and catch the ball by performing repetitive overhead movements. Can you imagine a helicopter shot in a cricket match with an injured shoulder? Obviously, it seems to be impossible. These sports include repetitive overhead movements. Over exhaustion can lead to shoulder instability or shoulder cuff injury.

• Tennis

Tennis is a game that is fully based on your arm and shoulder performance. With shoulder pain, Serena Williams would have not won so many tournaments. Swinging the racquet and hitting the ball is not an easy task. Hitting the racquet continuously for a long duration increases the risk of getting a SLAP tear which can affect the power of your shoulder.

• Swimming

A good swimmer needs to have good coordination arms and legs. When one strokes to swim ahead, then it puts intense force by repetitive overhead movements. Over-performing can lead to acute shoulder pain.

• Volleyball

This game completely depends on your arms and shoulders. Hitting the ball with bare hand to serve and hit it to the other counter. As the shoulder is overused, it can lead to various problems like SLAP tear, acute injuries, etc.

It is the list of some sports that require high shoulder power. But almost every outdoor sport requires the strength of the shoulder. If you are looking for an experienced shoulder specialist in Gurgaon, then you can consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He is trained in treating shoulder problems and sports injury.

If you are an athlete, you would understand the importance of fitness of the entire body.  Moreover, the majority of games put intense pressure on the shoulder joint. It means that as a sportsperson, one needs to especially pay attention to this joint and train it to enhance its endurance. It is the reason that players of sports like volleyball, tennis, etc. are at a higher risk of getting some shoulder injuries.  Today we will be discussing some shoulder strength training for all athletes.

Simple shoulder strength training for all athletes

• T push up for endurance

To perform this exercise, you need to take the posture of a push-up (in sideways). So place one arm on the floor in a lying posture. Then lift the other arm while keeping your feet tilted. A ‘T’ shape will be formed by your shoulder. The weight of the entire body will be shifted to the shoulder that is placed on the ground. Hold this pose for a few seconds and move back to the push-up position. Then, repeat it with the other arm. Perform 4-5 sets daily. This exercise improves the endurance of the shoulder.

• Static Rotator Cuff Contraction

Stand with spine and neck straight. Now raise one hand and bent it towards your other arm. Hold your arm with your other hand and try to press your elbow on your chest to make  90 degrees angle. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat it with the other arm. Perform this exercise at least 10 times with each arm. This exercise is especially beneficial for rotator cuff muscles.

• External Rotation while lying sideways

Hold a normal weighted dumbbell or bottle filled with water in your left hand. Now lie down on your right side and place a soft towel (rolled) under your left elbow. Place your head on your right hand. Simply flex your left hand to 90 degrees and let the weight rest on your stomach. Please note that you should not bend your wrist in this posture or you may get an injury. While keeping your left humerus (upper arm bone), rotate your left forearm to lift the weight. This exercise can help in preventing rotator cuff injuries like tendonitis.

• Military Press

Stand straight and hold two dumbbells.  Tighten your arms’ muscles and lift the arms. The placement of elbows while lifting the weights should be slightly in your front to give enough space for your rotator cuff to function. Thereafter, hold the dumbells straight up while tightening your abs to avoid arching backward. Hold the posture for a few seconds, and then move your arms hallway back to form your hands perpendicular to your scapula. This exercise works on the frontal deltoids and improves the strength of the shoulder joint.

• Scaption and shrug

Stand straight with some gap between your feet while holding a dumbbell in each hand. Now raise your arms 30 degrees without bending your elbows till they are at your shoulder level. Now, try to shrug your shoulder in an upward direction without changing the posture of your arms and feet. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then lower down your shoulder to relax your body.  This exercise targets deltoids muscles, rotator cuff, Serratus anterior, and the upper traps present in the shoulder. It can be helpful to keep up the shoulder’s health and improve its strength.

If you are an athlete, you must follow the above-listed shoulder exercises. Moreover, these are easy to perform and do not require many apparatuses. For a personal consultation or treatment of sports injury, you can consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He is an experienced sports injury doctor in Gurgaon and has helped many athletes in preventing injuries and curing existing injuries.

The shoulder joint is fragile and is utilized even when we are working on your desk. Hence, everyone needs to focus on their shoulder health to keep them fit to maintain productivity at the workplace. Moreover, poor shoulder health can lead to severe problems and make your shoulder prone to many injuries. Let’s have a discussion on the same so that you can prevent shoulder pain and stay happy.

Shoulder joint- the complex anatomy

It is the largest joint and majorly consists of two bones- humerus and scapula. This ball and socket joint consists of several bones, ligaments, and muscles.

• Important bones present in this joint
• Acromion- the bony structure near the scapula
• Clavicle- the bone that connects with acromion to form acromioclavicular
• Coracoid process- a hook-like structure that originates from the scapula
• Other components
• Ligaments- tissues that join a bone with the other bone

Glenohumeral ligaments

It contains superior, middle, and inferior glenohumeral ligaments and is responsible to attach the humerus to its socket. The prime role of these ligaments to keep the joint intact, prevent dislocation and provide stability.

Coraco-acromial ligament (CAL) & coraco-clavicular ligament (CCL)

CAL connects the coracoid to the acromion & CCL attaches the clavicle coracoid process of the scapula. CCL plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the scapula and clavicle which makes the shoulder square.

Transverse Humera Ligament (THL)

It consists of a tendon that is biceps brachii muscles and runs through the intertubercular sulcus

• Muscles- supporting tissues for stability and smoother movements

Rotator cuff muscles

The prime muscle band present in the shoulder joint with 4 different muscles- supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. It is attached to the proximal humerus near the front section

Supraspinatus

It originates from the supraspinatus fossa & helps in lifting the arm (initial 30 degrees) and stabilizing the joint.

Infraspinatus

It originates from the infraspinatus fossa and helps in the external rotation of the humerus.

Teres Minor

It is placed below Infraspinatus and runs from the inferior aspect of the dorsal scapula and helps in external rotation and lifting of the humerus.

Subscapularis

This muscle starts from the subscapular fossa and plays a crucial role and lifting the humerus.

Rhomboid

This muscle is the only muscle that functions in depressing the shoulder and can be subdivided into Rhomboid major and minor. The minor starts from the nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T1 whereas the major originate from the spinous processes of T2-T5

Trapezius

A triangular-shaped muscle starts from the outer aspect of the nuchal line in the occipital, upper thoracic region, and cervical. It is the muscle that is responsible for upliftment and depression of the shoulder depending upon the movement.

Deltoid

It helps in lifting the upper arm bone and has three distinct origins. These are the clavicle, acromion, and spine of the scapula. The functionality of the deltoid muscles differs according to the fibres which are activated for the movement.

How to prevent shoulder injuries?

• Take enough rest

It is important to listen to your body and take some rest whenever you are feeling tired. Moreover, if you are an athlete or dancer, then you need to take care of your joints, as sometimes due to performance pressure, we forget our limits. But resting does not mean restraining yourself from shoulder movements. You should perform mild stretches and warm-up.

• Pay attention to your sleeping posture

If you are suffering from pain in the left shoulder, then you should avoid sleeping on your left shoulder joint. You can sleep on your back or the other shoulder joint. In case, if you are suffering from discomfort due to sleeping on your back, then you can pop out your arm with a pillow.

• Work on endurance

It is important to work on the strength of the joint and for the same you can perform some shoulder exercises and train your body to play for longer on the ground. But this training should be gradual.

• Never miss warm-up

Before starting your game or training, it is important to perform a mild warm-up exercise. It will activate synovial fluid that will work as a lubricant for the joints and improve the grace of the movements.

• Cross-train your body

Some sports require rigorous use of the shoulder joint like volleyball, tennis, etc., and reduce the burden on the shoulder joint, you can cross-train your body. For example, if you are a tennis player, then you can cross-train your body by running or biking. If you are in a profession that requires repetitive overhead movements, then you can urge your senior to assign some activities that do not include overhead movements for a while.

• Pay attention to the technique

It is important to pay attention to the technique of the train as a wrong technique can also lead to injuries. Always perform exercises under the guidance of experts.

So if you are a sportsperson, then you should take the following preventive measures to avoid shoulder injuries while training or playing. Some steps can help you to keep up the shoulder health. Also, try some superfoods to improve joint health. In case, if you are looking for an experienced shoulder specialist in Gurgaon, then consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He is a trusted sports injury doctor and has helped many athletes in preventing or curing injuries with the most effective approach.

Rotator cuff injuries are quite common as it is a delicate group of muscles present in the shoulder joint. The core function of this muscle is to provide support to the joint by keeping the upper arm bone intact in the socket while lifting the arm. They also play a crucial role because the humerus tends to slide easily and this muscle group keeps it in place and helps in lateral as well as medial rotation of the joint. Due to so much responsibility on this muscle group, overuse, overstretching or repetitive movements can result in shoulder injuries (especially rotator cuff). This is the reason why many athletes who indulge in games like tennis or baseball are at a higher risk of getting a rotator cuff injury. Severe injuries can only be treated through surgical method. But don’t worry as these injuries can be prevented to some extend by following some tips. Let’ discuss them.

Simple ways to prevent rotator cuff injuries and keeping the shoulder joint healthy

• Don’t push your limits

Everyone needs to pay heed to their body requirements. The stamina of every person is different and it is not a good idea to exhaust your body. Your body is your closest companion and you should listen to it. If you are feeling that you are tired, then take a break, especially when it comes to the shoulder joint. This joint is much more fragile when compared with other joints and hence don’t go beyond its capacity, otherwise, you may suffer from muscle injuries.

• Maintain your BMI

It is important to stay fit and in shape, as it does exert extra pressure on the joint due to excess body-weight. Moreover, it will help you prevent many other health problems, as you will be consuming a healthy diet with regular exercise.

• Pay attention to flexibility & with the right training method

It is important to maintain the flexibility of the body as it improves the range of motion and even helps in strengthening the tendons & muscles. Hence, one should perform some stretching and warm-up exercise for each joint every day. Also, never forget that the training technique matters a lot when it comes to injuries. Your negligence to the technique can be the prime reason for injuries during performing exercises.

• Abstain from overstretching & follow precautions

There are many situations wherein we try to reach for something by overstretching arms and if this habit continues for long, then it may lead to rotator cuff injuries. Follow these tips to avoid such problems:

• Maintain the posture while sitting as well as standing
• Never try to reach an object that is placed on a high shelve (is beyond your capability). Try to take the help of a ladder or chair.
• Always lift weights while keeping the back straight
• Don’t try to drive or work on the computer for long in the same posture as it may affect our shoulder joint and its muscles.
• The height of your desk should be perfect that aligns well with your arms
• If you are suffering from a shoulder sprain or any other shoulder problem, then try to take enough rest and focus on recovery. Don’t try to hurry up and you can try the RICE method for pacing up the recovery process after an expert’s help.

So these were some simple tips that can help you in preventing a rotator cuff injury as it works on keeping the joint healthy. If you want to consult an experienced shoulder doctor in Gurgaon, then you may book an appointment with Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He has helped many patients in getting back to their normal life without any shoulder pain.

Our shoulder joint is one of the most powerful joints as it is capable of lifting various objects and moving in multiple different directions. One of the most crucial parts of this joint is the rotator cuff as it helps in keeping the upper arm bone stable in the socket while moving it in different directions.

As this set of muscles is solely responsible to initiate the movement of the arm and maintain integrity, there is a high chance of rotator injuries due to overuse. This is the reason why athletes who are indulged in games like tennis, badminton, etc. are more prone to such injuries. Let’s discuss all the identification methods to check if the reason behind your shoulder pain is rotator cuff injury.

Rotator cuff injury- how it occurs?

A rotator cuff is a combination of 4 distinct tendons that starts from the humerus and runs along in the different segments of the joint to provide complete stability to the shoulder joint. Moreover, these tendons are tightly packed which leads to strength and stability. Whenever the shoulder tries to move beyond its limit, the tendons brushes with the bony structure called acromion or another tendon. This confrontation can lead to problems like rotator cuff injury.

A rotator cuff injury can be further divided into 3 categories:

• Rotator cuff tendonitis:

It occurs when a tendon of the cuff is inflamed due to repetitive or overstretched movements

• Shoulder bursitis:

This shoulder problem develops due to the spreading of the inflammation in the shoulder bursae which is responsible for the lubrication of the cuff tendons

• Rotator Cuff tear

It is related to a tear of the rotator cuff tendon due to trauma or tendon weakness

How to identify shoulder pain as a rotator cuff injury?

• Checking out the symptoms

Experiencing sudden shoulder weakness after injury

After lifting something heavy or getting a hit on the shoulder, the person may suffer from extreme pain and may feel weakness in the affected area.

Check for the origin & intensity of the pain

Try to gently move your arm in different directions and observe the intensity & epicenter of pain. In case of minor injury, the person will experience dull pain. Try performing some overhead movements for this analysis.

Observe if there is an unusual sound

Raise your arm and check whether there is any popping or cracking sound occurring from the shoulder joint as it is an indication of an internal injury.

Pain at night

Usually, rotator cuff injury leads to pain that worsens at night and may even lead to sleepless nights. So check for pain during the nights as well. If you are suffering from consistent pain, there is a high chance that the reason for the pain is rotator cuff injury.

• Evaluating through various physical exams under medical supervision
• Diagnostic tests for clarity on the source of shoulder pain

Your medical expert may suggest you undergo some tests like X-rays to check the cause and other associated things that may play an important role in planning the treatment & rehab plan.

The rotator cuff is one of the most important muscle groups present around the shoulder joint. It is the responsibility of this group to keep the humerus (upper arm bone) intact in the joint while moving the arm. As there is such a major task for this muscle group to handle, it is at high risk of getting injured resulting in rotator cuff tears. In such a situation, one must visit a shoulder specialist and get it treated in time. The treatment approach depends on the severity and type of injury. Let’s discuss the different types of rotator cuff tears and understand this shoulder problem in depth.

Rotator cuff- the anatomy

The rotator cuff comprises 4 different muscle-tendon units. These muscles originate from the shoulder blade and insert onto the arm bone. These muscles are:

• Supraspinatus: This muscle is responsible to facilitate the first 15 degrees of raising the arm and later on the other muscles (deltoid and trapezius) takes over the responsibility of the movement.
• Infraspinatus: This muscle helps in the external rotation of the arm (lateral aspect). It along with the subscapularis also helps in centralizing the shoulder joint.
• Teres Minor: It is located just below the Infraspinatus and helps in the external rotation of the arm (lateral aspect).
• Subscapularis: It is the strongest rotator cuff muscle and contributes to all types of shoulder movements. It connects the arm bone from the front.

The rotator cuff may give way at the following sites

(this classification is only meant for patient awareness)

• Type A: This type of tear involves bone avulsion or tear of the tendon at the insertion site
• Type B: Tendon bulk is involved in the tear
• Type C: This type includes the involvement of the muscles
• Type D: This type of rotator cuff dysfunction is caused due to muscle insufficiency

Type A Rotator Cuff tear

Although tendon or muscle is included in such a shoulder problem, the involvement of bone is also considered while planning the treatment process. Due to fractures, nonunion, or bone insufficiency, this shoulder problem can become more complicated and falls under this category. It can be further classified as A1, A2.

A1 covers acute bony involvement and arthroscopic approach or traditional methods are used to treat such injuries.

A2 indicates tuberosity nonunion that is generally a consequence of the failed treatment of A1 as the displacement of fracture may affect the length of the tendon and affects the functionality of the rotator cuff. For the treatment of such nonunion of proximal upper arm bone fracture, there are many surgical techniques. The selection of the treatment procedure depends on many factors like age, associated risks, etc.

Type B Rotator Cuff tear

This type of rotator cuff tear involves an injury in the tendon and be further divided into 4 grades- B1, B2, B3, and B4. The size of the tear plays a crucial role and the tear pattern is identified with the help of the involved components (muscles) of the rotator cuff. The tear patterns are:

• Type A: Supraspinatus & superior subscapularis tear
• Type B: Supraspinatus & complete subscapularis tear
• Type C: Supraspinatus, superior subscapularis, & infraspinatus tear
• Type D: Supraspinatus & infraspinatus tear
• Type E: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor tear

B1 indicates a tear in the lateral section (tendon) of the muscle and B2 refers to a tendon tear that is medial to a lateral tendon (generally torn Supraspinatus connecting to infraspinatus). B3 signifies a Fosbury flop tear wherein prominent tendon flips and causes the gathering of fluids. This tendon further runs throughout the joint medially. B4 means tendon to acromion adhesion and is generally observed in the case of a major contracted rotator cuff tear.

Type C Rotator Cuff tear

This category includes rupture of musculotendinous intersection and can be observed in all 4 muscles present in the rotator cuff. There are different grades and define the intensity of the tear and these are:

• Grade 1: muscular strain without any complications if treated well
• Grade 2: partial tear without any tendon retraction
• Grade 3: complete musculotendinous tear

Type D Rotator Cuff tear

It refers to muscle insufficiency and be divided into many sub-categories. D1 symbolizes muscle atrophy or fatty infiltration due to the muscle weakness and if left untreated, then can affect several tendons at a single time. D2 deals with neurological impairment and develops due to a series of shoulder problems. Sometimes a cyst developing in the body affects the muscular tissue of the shoulder joint and hence it falls in the category of D3.

So these were the types of rotator cuff tear and each condition requires a unique treatment plan. Hence, you should get medical help as soon as possible. If you are looking for an experienced rotator cuff repair surgeon in Gurgaon, then you can book an appointment with Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He tries his best to heal the shoulder problem as soon as possible by implementing the most effective treatment technique.

The rotator cuff is a ring/cable of tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder joint and helps in keeping the joints in position while moving it. It is the most delicate set of muscle-tendon units of the shoulder joint and hence repetitive movements, direct blow, or overstretching of the arm can lead to an injury to this cuff. Sometimes this injury can lead to a complete or partial rotator cuff tear and need surgical treatment. Let’s discuss on rotator cuff surgery process and things that you should expect after it.

Shoulder Arthroscopy for rotator cuff repair

It is a surgical technique that is used to treat numerous shoulder problems and is considered a better option than the traditional method. In arthroscopy, the surgeon makes small incisions near the shoulder joint and uses an arthroscope to get an inside view of the joint. An arthroscope is a small device that has a small camera attached to a thin pipe. After viewing the anatomy, the surgeon may use screws and sutures to repair the torn tendons and muscles.

What to expect after surgery?

After the surgery, the joint may become a little fragile and will need a well-planned rehabilitation plan for the conditioning of the joint. The duration of this rehab may vary from 4 months to 6 months and will consist of many different phrases.

• Initial 3-6 weeks- keep the joint stable & protected

The focus in the initial period will be to maintain the functionality of the joint with stability.  For this, your medical expert may suggest you wear a sling throughout the day. It will help you to keep the joint protected and limit the movements that will in turn contribute to healing. Initially, the patient may experience some pain and swelling too. To get relief from this situation, you may be advised to follow ice therapy and take medications. Moreover, it is important to take care of your shoulder while sleeping. For this, you may try a shoulder support pillow, that will provide comfort to you and support to your joint. But as each case is unique, hence it is recommended to seek medical advice on sleeping position.

• 6-12 weeks- maintain flexibility with Physical therapy

In this phase, the prime focus is to improve flexibility and the range of motion. Hence, Physical therapy sessions will be conducted that will include active as well as passive exercises. It will also help in reducing swelling and pain. But remember that you will need to avoid lifting extremely heavyweights in this duration.

• 3-6 months- strengthen the muscles and joints

This phrase will include some intense exercises that will help in strengthening the joint and regaining full strength. Performing these exercises in a daily routine can be helpful in making the shoulder stronger.

It is suggested to abstain from driving a car for a long period in the first 12 weeks of the rehabilitation plan. Moreover, if you experience discomfort or anything unusual, then report to your doctor as soon as possible.

If you are looking for an experienced arthroscopic / shoulder surgeon in Gurgaon, then book an appointment with Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He is proficient in arthroscopy & advanced shoulder surgeries and has helped many patients in getting rid of the pain.

Most of the athletes and often non-athletes rely on their physical strength for various activities and tend to overuse their joints and muscles to outperform in the game or routine life. This tendency sometimes leads to a series of consequences and rotator cuff injuries is one of them. Do you know that the most common sports injury and cause of shoulder problem are rotator cuff injuries? Moreover, if these injuries are not treated well, then it can leave an impact on their sports career as well as regular daily activities. This is the reason that one should consult a specialist for adequate care and the right treatment. The prime challenge is to find the exact cause of shoulder pain as sometimes the symptoms of rotator cuff impingement seem to be similar to rotator cuff tear. Let’s discuss the difference to clear off the layer of confusion.

Understanding the anatomy

Shoulder joint constituents three bones termed as the clavicle, scapular bone, and humerus. But this ball and socket joint is not stable enough to perform the movements with grace. Many ligaments and muscles wrap this joint to provide stability and strength. The main ligaments present in this complex joint are named- Glenohumeral ligaments, Coracoacrmial arch, and Coracoclavicular & acromioclavicular ligaments. These ligaments keep the joint intact and maintain integrity. There are many muscles present in a shoulder joint and serve different purposes. The muscles are:

• Rotator Cuff

These act as stabilizers for the joint and consist of 4 different muscles to form a cuff that is strong enough to hold the humeral head in its place during any shoulder movement. These muscles are:

• Infraspinatus: helps in shoulder rotation and extend
• Teres minor: assists in rotary movement
• Supraspinatus: allows internal rotation
• Subscapularis: helps in lifting the arm
• Scapulothoracic muscles

These muscles connect the scapular bone to the axial skeleton. It comprises of rhomboids, trapezius, and levator scapulae muscles.

• Biceps

The long head of the Biceps (one of the origins of the biceps muscle from inside the joint) assists to hold the joint in place and allow several movements like arm raising, elbow bending, etc.

• Deltoid Muscles

These provide strength to the shoulder joint in various movements and comprise deltoid and pectoral muscles.

Digging into the difference between Rotator cuff impingement & tear

• Rotator cuff impingement

It is a severe injury that can eventually lead to other shoulder problems. Although it is not a complete tear, but can’t be taken lightly as the tendons present near the shoulder joint are inflamed. So, whenever the bones come in contact with these swollen tendons, an intense pain stirs up in the body and progresses to further complications. The range of rotator cuff impingement goes from tendon inflammation to thickening & scarring of the bursa that is present in the affected region.

Causes:

The causes of this shoulder problem can be the following:

• Wear & tear of muscles due to ageing
• Repetitive movements
• Traumatic injury to the shoulder
• Overhead or overstretched arm movements

Symptoms:

• Sharp pain that intensifies with overhead movements
• Experiencing pain while:
• Moving the hand behind the back
• Raising the arm
• Lying on the shoulder
• Swinging the arms
• Lifting the arms

• Rotator Cuff Tear

It can be further classified into 2 types. These are:

• Partial tear: only a segment of the muscle is torn
• Complete tear: the entire muscle is torn and can even cause damage to the tendon

Causes:

It can be caused due to a direct or indirect blow on the shoulders or while lifting very heavy-weights. Continuous strain on the shoulders due to overuse and repetitive movements can also lead to this problem.

Symptoms:

Although the symptoms of this shoulder problem are similar to the rotator cuff impingement, there is a slight difference. The patient may experience some weakness along with pain or/and a popping sound during any shoulder movement.

One may feel the weakness while performing the following movements:

• Raising the arm
• Lifting objects above his shoulder level
• Punching any object

The torn rotator cuff can lead to a dark life and needs immediate medical help. So don’t neglect the shoulder pain and get a diagnosis made under expert supervision. It will help you to know the exact cause and its severity so that the doctor can plan the treatment procedure accordingly.

If you are looking for an experienced shoulder surgeon in Gurgaon, consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He will try to heal the problem while following the most effective approach.

People are getting more aware of shoulder problems. One of the most common shoulder problems is shoulder instability and affects  the young and active population more when compared with other categories of the population.

Understanding about the shoulder joint & shoulder instability in depth

This ball and socket joint is complex, mobile and allows movement in 3 planes (frontal, sagittal, and transverse) along with rotational movement as well. It facilitates the movement of the arm in 360 degrees. The glenoid cavity is shallow when compared to the humeral head. Although many tissues and ligaments surround this glenohumeral joint for a stable and smooth functionality, but the joint capsule is somewhat lax. The range of motion of the shoulder joint is facilitated by  secondary movements from dynamic & synchronized articulation present at 4 different joints

• Sternoclavicular
• Glenohumeral
• Scapulothoracic
• Acromioclavicular

The medical condition that is known as ‘shoulder instability’ refers to the inability to sustain the ball of the joint intact in its socket. It happens due to the disruption of the integrity of the regular anatomy of the joint. You may feel like your shoulder is slipping from its location while moving the arm.

A well-planned exercise regimen can be useful in optimizing the functioning of your shoulder joint. But remember to consider an expert’s advice before starting this exercise program.

The 3-segment homely way for treating unstable shoulders

Segment 1: Exercises to prevent the popping out of the joint

The initial segment of the exercise program focuses on avoiding the popping out of the joint.

To perform such exercises, you may need help from others who can place their hands on the joint to maintain its placement. Try to move your arm slowly in different directions till the extent of not popping out of the place

Segment 2: Strengthen the rotator cuff & Deltoid

This segment of the reconditioning program focuses on the strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles by working against the resistance in the anterior-posterior rotation. It is crucial for your shoulder to have strength as well as endurance of internal & external rotation and hence should perform some exercises targeting the rotator cuff.

1.  Hold your hands in front and pull the arm of the affected shoulder in towards the other side of the shoulder in the inward direction. Then move your arm in the outward direction slowly.
2. Take an elastic band and fix it on a wall. Pull the band in inwards direction. Repeat it 3-5 times. Then hold the band in your hands in the front and try to stretch it as much possible. Repeat this movement 3-5 times.
3. Take an object for weight like a small bottle filled with water and lie down. Hold the bottle in the affected arm and move your arm in the sideways direction. Repeat it for 5-8 times.

Segment 3: Train the scapular muscles

Usually, if your scapula is weak or loose, then it becomes unstable and the prime objective of this segment is to strengthen it and eliminate some problems that may have emerged due to lack of reconditioning and synchrony.

1. Lie down straight and hold any object with your both hands and lift your hands straight up. Place your hands closer to each other and hold this posture for 5 seconds. Then repeat this exercise with a long object like a stick so that you can place your hands apart while holding it.
2. Lie down and lift a small bottle filled with water at 90 degrees angle from your affected shoulder. Repeat this movement 5-8 times. Then, lie on a couch to elevate your back. Now perform the same movements so that your arm is lifted in more than 90 degrees. You can even perform it standing position.
3. Take a bottle and lift it in the in-out direction slowly. Repeat it 8-10 times.
4. Take an elastic band and place it under your foot of opposite side (it mean under left foot when performing the exercise with the right arm and vice-versa). Try to stretch the band by moving your arm in outwards direction.
5. Do some cycling and aerobics every day to improve the endurance of your shoulder joint.

Moreover, never miss medical help and consult a shoulder specialist for the treatment of shoulder instability. In case if you are looking for a shoulder specialist in Gurgaon, then you can consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay. He has treated many complex shoulder problems with effectiveness.

All the joints have a significant purpose and hence everyone needs to cherish them. Our shoulders are on the same list and need our special care. Working or driving for too long in the same posture can lead to shoulder pain. Similarly, kids getting a bang on the shoulder while playing can cause a shoulder dislocation. This shoulder problem is quite common in all age groups. Let’s discuss the age factor related to shoulder dislocation.

How shoulder dislocation occurs?

If the rounded upper end of the arm bone shifts out of its socket in the shoulder blade (scapula), then this condition is called dislocation. It limits the range of motion and causes pain in the joint. The cup-shaped socket of the shoulder is shallow as compared to other ball and socket joints, making it more vulnerable to dislocation.

Shoulder Dislocation and young kids

The joints of the kids are tender and prone to problems like dislocation. Being a parent, you may be worried about potential grave injuries like fractures and shoulder dislocation. Hence, raising your kid  as an athlete means a higher risk of shoulder dislocation. Especially when we discuss about the older teens, a dislocation can lead to recurrent dislocation which can complicate the situation and raise a question if the surgery is the right way to treat the problem.

According to a study, teenagers who suffer from shoulder dislocation once may suffer from the same problem again within 2 years. In the case of boys, the probability rate of recurrence is 86% and for girls, this figure is 54%.

For kids, this shoulder problem can even affect their mental & emotional well being. Your kid may feel alone and depressed because of the inability to play again with his friend. Moreover, we can’t forget that the shoulder is the core area for the development of the arm.

Important signs that you should monitor

There are many signs that you should watch for as they indicate shoulder dislocation.

• Extreme shoulder pain
• If your child is using his other arm to support his injured arm to take off the pressure and weight.
• Tingling sensation or numbness in the arms or hand

Moreover, there can be a possibility of Rotator cuff tear in the process of pulling off the arm bone from its socket or while reducing it; particularly in the ageing population. Such a shoulder problem can affect the healing process of shoulder dislocation. Thus, it should be examined thoroughly.

Shoulder Dislocation and elderly people

Although the incidence of shoulder dislocation is the same for people of any age group, injuries in elderly people are usually neglected or misdiagnosed and it may lead to further complications. As per a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there is a slight difference in the dislocation injuries between older and younger patients and recommends a through examining the older patient that can help in improving the process of diagnosis and management of interrelated injuries. According to the conclusion of this study, there is a need to understand the different ways of dislocation and how it can affect patients who are above 40 years of age and it is the first step in making a precise diagnosis of injuries that are related to dislocation.

Due to aging, the rotator cuff tissues tend to become weaker and more prone to injuries and hence older patients are more likely to suffer from injuries related to the rotator cuff.

Some facts related to this subject as per the study:

• One in five shoulder dislocation patients is aged 60 or more.
• 90% of patients who faced the problem of multiple dislocations were in their 20s and 30s.
• In older patients, the occurrence of rotator cuff tears in shoulder dislocation ranges from 35%-86%.

Treatment of shoulder dislocation

As we discussed how age can play an important factor in the occurrence of shoulder dislocation, the treatment approach is different for every patient. It depends on the age and complexity. So if you ever experience shoulder pain, then ask for medical help as soon as possible.

You can even consult Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay, an experienced shoulder doctor in Gurgaon for the treatment of shoulder problems. He will try his level best to effectively heal your shoulder pain.