Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Guest column

Injured shoulder can set off downward spiral

By CHERYL MCFARLAND
Published August 8, 2005

There are many different mechanisms of injury to the shoulder. Several sports put undue stress on the small muscles and ligaments of the shoulder. Softball, baseball, tennis, racquetball and golf involve rotation of the arm, stressing the rotator cuff. Sudden impact crashes cause twisting injuries to the shoulder of people wearing a shoulder harness at the time of impact. This type of injury involves pivoting of the free shoulder around the torso of the injured person. These rotation and pivoting injuries stretch muscles and tendons past their point of flexibility. This occurs especially with swings and throws at maximum speeds and force, as well as with motor vehicle accidents.

Once the muscles, tendons and ligaments are stretched beyond their limit of anatomical integrity, they tear. The tears are filled with scar tissue. The scar tissue has less flexibility than normal muscle, tendon or ligament tissue. The tissue is more likely to be torn by continued power swings and throws. This sets up a downward spiral of chronic injuries, over-use syndrome and joint degeneration.

The ligaments under stress develop a negative charge that attracts calcium ions. This causes spur formation. At the top of the shoulder is the typical site for this spur. The acromioclavicular joint or AC joint is where the collarbone connects to the shoulder blade. A spur at the joint pinches the rotator cuff muscles. When compressed by this spur, the rotator cuff muscles lose their blood supply. This results in a tear in the muscle at the part weakened by the lack of oxygen and nutrients.

To prevent these types of injuries, one should warm up muscles before exerting them, then perform stretches after exertion. This increases blood supply to the muscles and maximizes flexibility. Once an injury occurs, one should see a chiropractor or physical therapist as soon as possible. Applying ice immediately will minimize further damage caused by swelling. Inflammation further decreases the blood supply and allows a toxic chemical response. Ice and physiotherapy decrease this inflammatory response. A doctor of chiropractic will use supports or splints, electro muscle stimulation, ultrasound and/or cold laser therapy to speed healing and decrease pain. The doctor would use gentle assisted range-of-motion and or massage to increase joint flexibility and use gentle mobilization to correct any misalignment that may have resulted from the strain or sprain.

Ultrasound and/or infrared/cold laser therapy can prevent a ligament or tendon under stress from forming a spur. A chiropractor can prevent spurs by reducing tension on the tendon or ligament through restoring proper joint motion and by teaching the patient how to avoid continued injury. Shoulder injuries not properly treated cause a loss in range of motion and can result in frozen shoulder syndrome and/or a shoulder replacement. Therefore, it is best to seek a natural path to better health at the onset of pain so that it will not result in the need for surgery.

--This public service information was provided by Dr. Cheryl McFarland of Better Health Chiropractic, 6166 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Call 795-8911.

[Last modified August 8, 2005, 02:45:22]