Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain
Most shoulder problems are attributable to overuse and trauma. The shoulder is composed of one articulation, the scapulothoracic, and three true joints: the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and glenohumeral.
Treatment.
Overuse syndrome in the shoulder should be treated with NSAIDs, ice and rest for 5 to 7 days. Most shoulder conditions can be relieved by injection of 2-5 cc of 1% bupivacaine and 40mg of triamcinolone into the effected area (e.g., subacromial bursa or tendon region). Ultrasound may be useful in calcific tendonitis but is not effective for other cases. Traditional physical therapy is often of limited efficacy but mobilization is helpful.
Acromioclavicular Injuries.
Usually result from a direct blow or fall on the tip of the shoulder.
symptomatic treatment fails or if it will interfere with the patients life (as in an athlete or person who does heavy work).
Glenohumeral Dislocations.
Clinical features. 95% are anterior, most commonly subcoracoid and
then subglenoid. The usual mechanism is forced abduction and external rotation. Patients complain of severe pain and usually hold the arm in tightly against their body. The shoulder appears flattened laterally and prominent anteriorly. The acromion process is prominent, and so the shoulder appears to be "squared off." The examiner must check for associated injuries, including proximal humeral fractures, avulsion of the rotator cuff, and injuries to the adjacent neurovascular structures. Axillary nerve injury is most common and is associated with decreased active contraction of the deltoid muscle and hypesthesia over deltoid.
Radiographs taken in two planes (AP and lateral scapula or axillary views) will confirm the dislocation and should be done to rule out fracture if mechanism suggestive. Treatment. The dislocation should be reduced as soon as possible.
Adequate analgesia and relaxation can be obtained by a 20ml intra- articular injection of 1% lidocaine. Narcotics (e.g., IV morphine) and muscle relaxants (e.g., diazepam) are useful as well. External rotation method (Hennipen technique). The patient is placed supine, with the arm abducted and the elbow flexed to 90 degrees. The examiner holds the elbow in position and externally rotates the shoulder. No pressure is applied to the forearm to force external rotation. If necessary, the arm can be abducted while in external rotation. Reduction usually occurs silently, unnoticed by the patient. This method has the
lowest rate of complications. Modified Stimson reduction. Analgesia or relaxation as noted above. The patient is placed prone on a table with the injured shoulder hanging free. Weight (up to 10-15 pounds) is suspended from the wrist, and the patient is left for 5 to 15 minutes. Further manipulation is often required consisting of gentle internal and external rotation with downward traction. Other reduction techniques include traction-countertraction and scapular manipulation. Postreduction care. Postreduction radiographs are obtained to ensure good relocation. Classically, the patients arm is immobilized in a sling-and-swathe dressing for 6 weeks, although recently early mobilization as been found to be superior. However, this is not yet standard of care. Early orthopedic follow-up care is recommended. Recurrent dislocation or subluxation is common and may require surgical repair.