Symptoms and treatment for a torn shoulder ligament
A torn shoulder ligament can be the result of an injury to one of the three parts of the shoulder joint. The shoulder is made up of:
- shoulder blade
- collarbone
- humerus
Any time there is an injury to the tissue around the shoulder socket, a torn shoulder ligament is possible.
Injuries that contribute to the tearing of the ligament in the shoulder
There are a few specific types of injuries that can cause the shoulder ligament to tear. All of them involve jolts to the shoulder, although some may seem less obviously about the shoulder. For example, simply falling on your arm can cause the shoulder ligament to tear. Also any direct injury to your shoulder, like in a car crash or a physical altercation, can cause the ligament to tear. Other shoulder injuries include a pull on the shoulder, especially when you are trying to life heavy objects.
Symptoms of a torn shoulder ligament
The biggest problem with determining whether a torn ligament in the shoulder is the injury or if it is some other kind of injury is the fact that most of the signs are exactly the same. People who have torn the ligament in their shoulder may experience pain, especially when they try to reach over their heads. Also they may feel a grinding or popping sensation in their shoulder when they try to move it. The shoulder may also catch or get stuck when they try to move it. In addition, the shoulder may just have a general feeling of instability. The shoulder may also not be as strong as it was before the injury.
Diagnosing and treating a torn ligament in the shoulder
Doctors will have to do several tests to make sure that the ligament is the part of the shoulder that is torn, and they will probably request some x-rays to make sure. Doctors may also order a CT or MRI to see exactly where the tear is. Tears may be found above or below the center of the shoulder socket.
Once the doctor has confirmed that the shoulder ligament is torn, he will often prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine to help reduce the swelling and relieve the symptoms. In very severe cases, doctors may even recommend surgery on the shoulder.
Surgery can involve reattaching the ligament and tightening the shoulder socket in the most severe cases. A severely torn ligament occurs when the shoulder is unstable and completely detached. Also a tear that reaches into the tendon of the biceps is a very severe care. However, if the tear is just small and limited to a tiny area of the shoulder, then the shoulder is still stable and only minor repairs will be needed. Additional rehabilitation will be needed after surgery.