Pinched nerve of the shoulder joint symptoms. How to identify and treat brachial nerve entrapment

Neurological diseases, especially if they concern cervical spine, often occur in initial stage without any special signs. Each of them threatens with irreparable consequences.

Normal pinching brachial nerve Without treatment, it can lead to disturbances in blood flow in the brain. Complications are also possible in the arteries of the vertebrae, which develops into vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Brachial neuralgia - what is it?

A disease such as brachial neuralgia can lead to disability when it occurs. And at any age.

The following diseases can aggravate the disease:

• herpes;
• alcoholism;
• diabetes mellitus;
• all types of tumors;
• sexually transmitted diseases.

All of these diseases aggravate the process even without systemic treatment no chance for recovery

As soon as the peripheral and central nervous systems, there is even greater harm to human health. The shoulder joint is completely or partially affected and appears painful sensations.

They can be short-term, but can disturb a person long time without interruption. As a rule, neuralgia appears due to hypothermia or after increased stress on the muscles.

Because of this, the following occurs:

• spasms in muscle tissue;
• swelling forms;
• muscle tissue undergoes changes associated with stagnation.

Most often, those joints that are associated with the main hand for work (left-handed and right-handed) are affected. It is possible that the pain will periodically turn into chest or under the shoulder blade. At the same time, it can be unbearable and you have to use novocaine blockades, which completely neutralize it.

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Causes of neuralgia and its development

Strange as it may seem, such a process is formed unilaterally. And you need to know for sure that the disease has not completely affected the nerve.

As soon as the nerve plexus is completely damaged, the motor system immediately reduces its activity.

In some cases, paralysis may occur that begins in the fingers. They are very difficult to work with. Soon, bending and straightening your arms becomes impossible. Eventually the muscles atrophy completely. What is the reason for the appearance of such a disease?

The list includes the most common reasons:

• The inflammatory process that occurs in the ligaments after a sprain;
• Tumors and hematomas in the armpits, forearms or directly in the neck;
• A common culprit is osteochondrosis of one or more cervical regions;
• After applying a tourniquet or plaster to the arm;
• Any injury to the arm, muscle or joint. As well as a fractured collarbone;
• Increased stress on muscle tissue (people who play sports suffer);
• Flu or others infectious diseases which can affect joints and muscles;
• Frequent hypothermia.

All of the above reasons will sooner or later lead to the disease.

But there is an additional list of indirect causes of the disease:

• failure and disturbances of hormonal levels or metabolism;
• due to age, irreversible changes in blood vessels occur throughout the body;
• presence of diabetes mellitus.

Neuralgia does not begin to develop immediately after an injury or after an infectious disease.

You can freeze repeatedly during the winter season, but the trigger will be:

• severe emotional stress;
• poisoning;
• severe depression of the immune system.

If treatment is not treated in a timely manner, neuralgia begins to become more complicated and after a while the pain appears more often, more intensely and is paroxysmal in nature.

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Neuralgia symptoms and diagnostic methods

Depending on the location, neuralgia has different symptoms.

When considering a disease in the region of the brachial nerve:

• The first symptom of the onset of the disease can be called a spasm that occurs in the upper part of the shoulder joint. It can be compared to twitching or trembling, which occurs independently without the participation of the patient.
  The duration of this muscle reaction can be from several seconds to 2-3 minutes. In the initial stage there is no pain, and quite often a person does not notice such spasms;
• Swelling in muscle tissue compresses the nerve endings that are in the plexus. The result is pain.
  Painful sensations can be of a different nature: aching, sharp or burning.
  As for the attacks, they are more intense due to constant pain. The spasm not only causes discomfort, but also exhausts the person;
• Spread of pain throughout the arm occurs due to greater swelling. Location: shoulder.
  It is possible that the root cause of the pain may not be immediately determined, since it radiates to different parts of the body (for example, in the neck or under the ribs).
  Characterizing spasms, we can say that they are deep and not superficial;
• If you don't pay attention to such symptoms, they begin to intensify. Simple painkillers dosage forms They are no longer able to help, and they have to resort to novocaine blockade.

Diagnosis of the disease is complicated by the fact that the patient cannot clearly indicate the place where the spasms occur.

This is due to the fact that the pain spreads throughout the back and can radiate under the chest.

Not always, but there are cases when neuritis can be confused with gastrointestinal diseases. As soon as compression begins (squeezing the nerve), the nerve endings cease to perform their function.

This causes:

• muscle numbness;
• an effect appears that many compare to “goosebumps crawling” under the skin;
• loss of sensitivity and reflexes;
• weakening of the limbs.

To diagnose brachial neuralgia, the following methods can be used:

• general urine and blood tests, as well as biochemical analysis;
• NMR and CT;
• X-ray.

Treatment

If treatment is not done, complications are inevitable.

This can only be saved by timely contacting a specialist and prescribing a treatment regimen, which consists of the following stages:

• Partial anesthesia;
• Relief of inflammation;
• Complete pain relief the entire syndrome and its remnants;
• Therapeutic activities, aimed at the original source of the disease;
• Procedures for recovery. These include massage, laser therapy, acupuncture; physiotherapy;
• Alternative medicine is also acceptable. For example, mud baths or wraps (mud, paraffin), with the help of wormwood cigars you can warm up the place where the inflammatory process occurred;
• Medicinal gymnastic exercises;
• How is a preventative measure suitable? swimming.

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Medicines

All dosage forms must be used only as prescribed by a doctor.

1. Drugs that relieve inflammation and do not contain steroids are prescribed:

• "Ketanov" and "Ibuprofen";
• "Diclofenac" and "Naproxen";
• "Nimesulide" and other medications that can reduce inflammation and swelling;
• You can also resort to analgesics. For example, Solpadeine.

1. Sometimes the complex includes diuretics. They help remove excess water and relieve swelling.
2. If necessary fix the hand in a certain position for a better therapeutic effect, use a splint or bandage.
3. Oral medications can be replaced with ointments or gels, which will increase blood flow and can normalize muscle function. But their use is permissible only after the swelling disappears.
4. The diagram must include B vitamins and antidepressants.

Exercise therapy

For a quick recovery after suffering from neuritis, exercise therapy (therapeutic gymnastics) is vital.

With the help of special exercises, muscle tissues damaged during the disease begin to gradually perform their functions.

Each stage of neuritis requires a specific set of exercises. In case of severe spasms or pain, exercise therapy is prohibited, as it can aggravate the patient’s condition.

After the permission of the attending physician, therapeutic exercises can be used several times a day, but do not overwork the muscles. Together with exercise therapy, massage is recommended, which will definitely improve the patient’s condition

Brachial neuralgia during pregnancy

This disease also occurs during pregnancy.

This is due to the fact that the expectant mother:

• moves less;
• there is more load on the spine;
• could suffer viral and infectious diseases;
• tolerates freezing and frequent stressful situations.

But the root cause is usually an incorrectly selected bandage. The shoulder joint is compressed by a tight strap and blood circulation is impaired. Next, the inflammatory process develops, which causes neuralgia.

The difficulty of treatment is that during pregnancy and lactation most drugs cannot be used for pain relief and treatment. In such cases, gentle therapy is prescribed, in which drugs for external use are used.

Complications

If untreated or improperly selected therapy, brachial neuralgia leads to impaired movement (paresis and paralysis). Most often, the disease develops into neuritis or completely atrophies the nerve endings.

Pinched brachial nerve is a lesion of the structure of the radial nerves, their compression. This disease can lead to various consequences: from a feeling of goosebumps, numbness to complete immobilization of the hands and loss of sensitivity. It is important to immediately seek help at the first warning signs from your body. medical care. To fully restore your health, you will need a course of drug therapy, advice will come in handy traditional medicine, but surgical intervention is also possible. You cannot engage in self-diagnosis and treatment.

A pinched nerve in the shoulder joint is very similar to the symptoms of an inflamed nerve, but these diseases are completely different in etiology and treatment. In some cases, if treatment is ignored or is ineffective, pinching can develop into inflammation. To avoid negative consequences and to prevent complications, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist – a neurologist.

Infringement in its etiology is the result of compression by bone and adjacent muscle tissue nerve bundles. In the process of squeezing, the bundles begin to become inflamed and swelling forms. This pathology has many different causes and occurs in the following cases:

• diseases of the central nervous system;
• serious physical activity, heavy lifting, heavy athletic training;
• injuries, bruises of the shoulder with varying degrees of damage;
• complications after surgery or injection in the shoulder area or forearm;
• sleeping in an uncomfortable position;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• tumor neoplasms, oncology;
• chronic lead intoxication, etc.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve

Most often, in the process of pinching the brachial nerve, which requires immediate treatment, the radial nerve is affected. This is one of the few nerve trunks of the central nervous system that has both a sensitive and motor part. Depending on the part of the lesion, the following symptoms may appear: clinical picture:

• difficulty in spreading the forearms and straight fingers of folded palms;
• complete or partial numbness of the fingers after sleeping or “lying down” in one position;
• after waking up, inability to move the hand, difficulty moving the joints;
• difficulty in extension wrist joint, inability to hold the hand in a hanging position;
• periodic cutting and stabbing sensations, constant aching pain in muscles that strengthen when the hand and forearm are extended. The sensations may dull and intensify, accompanied by pale skin, increased sweating, and a feeling of heat;
• difficulty in bringing the thumb together with the index finger and the inability to abduct the thumb;
• changes in muscle tone, involuntary twitching;
• decreased sensitivity of the skin in the forearm, shoulder and some fingers.

Diagnostic studies of the disease

A pinched brachial nerve requires immediate attention to a medical facility. Diagnosing the disease does not seem difficult. The attending physician must first study the patient's chart by conducting an analysis chronic diseases, recent injuries to the forearm area, allergic reactions, etc. Question the patient about complaints, their nature and duration. Based on these data, identify the nature of the pathology.

A prerequisite for successful diagnosis is a neurological examination, which reveals changes in the sensitivity of the fingers and hands, and pathologies of tendon reflexes.

If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the patient is sent for additional hardware examination: MRI and CT, x-ray. These techniques will help confirm the preliminary diagnosis and find the cause of the disease.

Treatment methods

The basis of any type and method of treatment is to eliminate the root cause of the disease and relieve pain from the affected organ. To effectively achieve results, not one method, but a whole complex is used, regardless of the degree of damage or stage of the neuralgic disease.

Elimination of the pathological disease of pinched nerve in the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment of which are different, depends on quickly determining the cause of the pathology and excluding inflammation in the shoulder joint. The following methods are used for this:

1. Strong painkillers for severe and intense attacks of pain. This could be a blockade of novocaine or ointment - Apizartron.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form medicines: tablets, gels, injections. For example, Ibuprofen, Ketanov, Diclofenac.
3. Intravenous injections of vitamin B, which will help support a weakened immune system.
4. Antidepressants for severe psychological disorders developing against the background of the disease.

However, it is impossible to be treated with potent drugs for a long time, because they cause many adverse reactions and gradual addiction. More often drug therapy ends with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and warming ointments that do not cause side effects.

What to do for a quick recovery? Combine medication with physiotherapeutic procedures.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of pinching will not be effective without the inclusion of physiotherapeutic procedures in the complex of measures aimed at eliminating pain, relieving swelling and eliminating involuntary muscle contractions and spasms. You can pinch the nerve on the left, and it will radiate to the right joint, so the procedures must be used on both sides of the brachial plexuses equally. For pathology, the following procedures are indicated:

• activation of biological points and flows using acupuncture;
• low current stimulation;
• taking warm baths using medicinal herbs and decoctions;
• mud wraps.

During the treatment period, the patient should not engage in manual physical activity of any complexity, and hypothermia should also be avoided. Only by following all the doctor’s recommendations can you achieve complete recovery.

The rehabilitation period must begin with physical therapy, but do it under the guidance of an experienced healthcare professional. Exercises will help restore muscles and strengthen joints.

There are several traditional medicine tips that will accompany a quick recovery. They are presented in the form of ointments, decoctions and compresses, which can be prepared independently at home:

• tincture for rubbing. For preparation, lilac flowers, burdock root and hot pepper. All these ingredients are poured with alcohol and infused for 3 days, after which this tincture is rubbed on the sore spot before going to bed;
• alcohol tincture of birch buds. For half a liter of alcohol, use a handful of birch buds. After a week you can use this tincture;
• You can also prepare a decoction for oral administration. To do this you need to mix 10 grams. willow bark with a glass of water, boil this mixture and take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day after meals.

Prevention of the disease

In order to reduce the risk of pinching nerve endings in the shoulder joint, you must follow simple life rules:

1. Control body weight, avoiding severe obesity. Overweight creates additional stress on internal organs and leads to wear of the spinal discs and hernia. In such cases, a pinched nerve is a fairly common problem.
2. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, periodically do a little body warm-up.
3. Monitor the correct position of the spine and control your posture.
4. Do morning exercises, play sports, use small physical activity to stretch muscles and strengthen joints.
5. Do not carry a bag over one shoulder, distribute the load evenly.
6. For sleeping, choose only a high-quality orthopedic mattress.

The pinching will not go away on its own without medication. At the first manifestations of symptoms, you need to seek help from a doctor and follow all his instructions. If you only relieve the pain with painkillers, the problem will not be eliminated, but will only get worse. This can subsequently lead to muscle atrophy and inflammation of nerve tissue.

Pinched brachial nerve is quite common. The pathology is compression of the radial nerves, which are located in the brachial plexuses, they go to the index and middle fingers along cubital fossa. If pinched, the patient may feel numbness, slight tingling in this area, up to loss of sensitivity in the hands.

If you find a problem, be sure to visit a doctor and get treatment. A pinched brachial nerve causes a lot of inconvenience and can keep a person out of a rut for a long time. Study the causes of pathology and follow preventive measures.

Causes of pathology

The radial nerves consist of sensory and motor fibers; they are the ones that are most often affected. Due to its close location to the surface or inside of a person’s hands. The causes of a pinched brachial nerve can be:

• the presence of direct injuries: damage to the shoulder area with knife or bullet wounds, severe bruises;
• "wedding night" syndrome. It is a situation when a person’s significant other lies on the shoulder for a long time, thereby provoking a pinched nerve;
• injuries caused by improper use of crutches;
• lead poisoning. It is this substance that has a very harmful effect on musculoskeletal system patient. Intoxication can result from working in hazardous industries or contact with household chemicals;
• excessive physical activity. The pathology is typical for professional athletes and people working in heavy industries;
• Sometimes the cause of pinched nerve of the shoulder joint is a consequence of unsuccessful operations, tumors, scars. These formations compress the nerve, which negatively affects the person’s condition;
• poor posture during sleep (often occurs if a person falls asleep while intoxicated);
• Incorrectly administered injections into the shoulder area can lead to pinched nerves in the shoulder.

Before starting treatment, it is imperative to establish the cause of the problem, eliminate the negative factor, and only then begin to deal with unpleasant symptoms. Only an experienced specialist can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Making such decisions on your own is strictly prohibited. If you want to use traditional medicine or special medications, discuss this issue with a competent doctor.

Clinical picture

Most often, the radial nerve is pinched, due to the fact that it consists of a sensitive and motor part, the symptoms of the pathology are varied:

• hand movements are difficult, especially after waking up, when the joint has been in one position for a long time, without movement;
• it is difficult for the patient to spread and close the fingers of the affected hand;
• "droopy hand" syndrome. It is a pathology in which the extension function of the wrist joint is impaired. The syndrome manifests itself in the fact that a person cannot hold the hand in a horizontal position when stretching the arm on the sore shoulder parallel to the floor without outside help;
• There is numbness of the thumb and middle fingers during sleep or prolonged inactivity;
• a person cannot move the thumb away from the hand or straighten and connect with the index finger;
• against the background of pinching of the brachial nerve, involuntary muscle twitching occurs;
• severe pain syndrome is noted. Pain may vary in nature and duration. Many patients indicate that they feel aching, tingling, cutting pain in the forearm, most often expressed on the back of the hand. Attacks of unpleasant sensations are accompanied by sweating, pale skin;
• the sensitivity of the skin is impaired due to the type of hypoesthesia (numbness of certain areas of the epidermis). It is noted in the area of ​​the forearm, fingers, and hands.

Important! The lack of qualified treatment leads to a worsening of the clinical picture. The patient may completely lose the functional ability of the arm due to muscle atrophy. Following the doctor’s recommendations and not self-medicating, which leads to unpredictable consequences, will help you avoid negative consequences.

Diagnostics

In most cases, an experienced specialist will make a diagnosis based on the patient’s complaints and an external examination of the shoulder. If there is serious damage to this area, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray to rule out a fracture or other serious pathologies. In any case, visit the doctor and follow his instructions.

General rules and methods of treatment

How to treat a pinched nerve? Doctors recommend coping with the problem using an integrated approach. At the same time, the patient is prescribed medications that relieve pain and restore motor activity of the arm. Additionally use folk remedies, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy are used during the rehabilitation period.

Drug therapy

Medicines include analgesics that relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Antibacterial therapy is indicated for patients with chronic illnesses, infectious nature. Drugs based on ibuprofen and paracetamol help cope with pain. They act quickly, the effect lasts up to 10 hours.

Many people prefer oral administration and forget about rectal use. Rectal suppositories relieve pain much faster: The rectum includes a dense network of blood vessels that speed up the distribution of medicinal products throughout the body.

Be wary of medications containing acetylsalicylic acid. The substance has many contraindications and has a negative effect on mucous membranes. gastrointestinal tract, can provoke a lot of negative side effects. Advanced cases require the use of glucocorticosteroids or analgesics when conventional painkillers do not have a positive effect.

Therapeutic exercise is used only during the rehabilitation period. During exacerbations, leave the injured shoulder alone and avoid any physical activity.

Important! All medications are used only after consultation with your doctor. Taking even natural medicines on your own is strictly prohibited.

Folk remedies and recipes

Natural medicinal products prepared at home will help relieve pain and speed up the healing process:

• tincture of lilac flowers. Fill a glass with lilac flowers, fill it with vodka, and let it brew for five days. Finished product strain, rub into the affected area of ​​the shoulder. Use the drug until complete recovery, but no more than two weeks;
• wormwood based rubs. Pour 300 ml of boiling water with 20 grams of dry raw materials, leave in a thermos for two hours. Strain the resulting product, rub into sore muscles;
• A bath based on chamomile decoction copes well with pain. For three liters of boiling water, take 200 grams of chamomile, let it brew for two hours. Pour the resulting medicinal product into the bath, take it for half an hour;
• combine 30 grams of unsalted lard with the same amount of ground hop cones. Rub the resulting ointment into the affected area twice a day;
• Combine raspberry and strawberry leaves in equal proportions, pour a tablespoon of the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water. Take tea after meals twice a day. Prepare a fresh potion every time;
• sedative: combine a teaspoon of oregano, valerian, motherwort, pour boiling water (300 ml). Drink a tablespoon of the medicine every hour throughout the day;
• mix 100 grams medical alcohol, 30 grams of propolis, store for ten days in a dark place. Then add three tablespoons olive oil, apply the product in the form of a compress to the affected area, be sure to wrap it in a warm scarf.

Coffee and honey wraps provide a relaxing effect and relieve pain, but compresses and alcohol-based ointments combat inflammation better. Before choosing a specific method, consult your doctor, take his comments into account.

In order not to encounter pathology, follow some rules:

• watch for correct posture, this aspect will help improve the functioning of internal organs and systems, and eliminate diseases of the spine;
• watch your weight. Extra pounds negatively affect joints, internal organs, spinal discs thicken over time, which leads to a hernia, which contributes to pinched nerves;
• if you have a sedentary job, be sure to alternate periods physical activity and passive sitting;
• exercise regularly. Even morning exercises and swimming help keep muscles toned and train the entire body;
• Buy a firm mattress and a small soft pillow for sleeping. This ratio is ideal for a natural posture during a night's rest;
• It is undesirable to sit on low or very high chairs for a long time;
• Doctors do not recommend that ladies wear bags on one shoulder, or at least alternate loads, carrying the accessory on one shoulder, then on the other.

Impingement of the shoulder joint is a common problem among professional athletes or people leading a passive lifestyle. Give preference to moderate exercise, listen to your body, be healthy!

Watch a video about the manifestations and treatment options for a pinched nerve in the shoulder joint:

Those who are inexperienced in neurological diseases often confuse neuralgia with neuritis (inflammation developing in the nerve itself). In fact, these are completely different diseases, and if you treat a pinched nerve coolly and do not begin to treat it in time, this can lead to its inflammation.

TO this state can cause a variety of diseases: metabolic disorders, intestinal diseases, diabetes, alcohol abuse. For treatment to be effective, the doctor must exclude these diseases.

Symptoms of the disease

A pinched nerve is accompanied by various pains of varying intensity. The pain can be dull, sharp, pulling, aching, burning, which can be constant or manifest itself in the form of attacks. The patient experiences pale skin, muscle twitching, and increased sweating.

Pinching is not a sudden disease. First, a muscle spasm is felt for some time, which can be caused by physical activity, injuries, various infections, or hypothermia. When overstrained, the reflex mechanism of the muscles is triggered, causing them to contract, thereby causing swelling, pinching and, as a result, pain. Pain may appear in the shoulder, forearm, along the entire length of the arm and be paroxysmal in nature, accompanied by muscle weakness, tingling or even numbness of the fingers. In most cases, pinching is one-sided.

This disease is accompanied by attacks of varying duration and intensity. If left untreated, attacks may become more frequent and more painful. As a consequence, the onset of neuritis, which can cause impaired activity of the limbs, impaired sensitivity and complete paralysis.

Nerve entrapment in relation to other similar diseases is observed quite rarely. Distinctive feature which are: severe pain and impaired mobility of the arm. Pinching in the shoulder or any part of the arm does not always have serious causes, such as musculoskeletal diseases. musculoskeletal system, tumors of the nerve and surrounding tissues, nervous disorders.

Pinching can cause awkward movement, falling, physical strain, prolonged stress on the elbow, arm injury or scarring after surgery.

You can pinch a nerve in your sleep if you have previously abused alcohol and drugs. Another reason may be a long fixed position, for example, if the hands are tied.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the shoulder joint are:

• Tingling and numbness in the back of the shoulder, back of the hand, forearm, fingers (level of the middle phalanges);
• Partial or complete inability to flex the hand, complete or partial impairment of the flexion movements of the little finger or ring finger;
• Movement of the thumb becomes difficult.

All of these dysfunctions make the hand look like a clawed paw. The back of the hand loses sensitivity. In the affected area, blood circulation is disrupted, and pain appears, usually radiating to the little finger. Numbness of the entire finger occurs as a result of a pinched nerve in the finger, which then spreads to the inner surface of the arm, palm, shoulder and forearm. If the problem affects the radial nerve, then partial or complete loss of flexion movements of the beginning of the forearm, hand, and phalanges of the fingers is possible.

As a result, this causes damage to nerve endings and, as a rule, it injures a huge number of autonomic fibers responsible for the innervation of blood vessels. This results in swelling, the appearance of cyanosis on the back of the hand and a feeling of coldness, but there is usually no pain. If a pinched nerve in the shoulder joint is not treated promptly, it can cause the muscles to either atrophy or limit their ability to move.

We diagnose and treat shoulder impingement

To make a diagnosis, the doctor uses special tests to get the correct picture. An x-ray is used and may reveal a fracture or other injury. Treatment is prescribed only after the causes of the disease are determined.

In the case when the nerve is only injured (has retained its integrity), then it is possible to limit oneself to conservative treatment. With conservative treatment, the attending physician prescribes medications designed to reduce swelling, relieve inflammation, relieve muscle spasms, eliminate pain symptoms and create conditions for favorable recovery of the damaged area. Physiotherapeutic procedures may also be prescribed.

There are many ways to treat pinched nerves in the shoulder joint, ranging from conservative methods to surgical intervention. If the pinching has led to a nerve rupture, then surgery is performed to stitch the damaged area. If it is the result of tumor development, surgery is also performed.

Video on the topic

One of the common causes of pain in the shoulder and arm is a pinched nerve at the level of the cervical spine, which is also called cervical radiculopathy.

Most often, a pinched nerve occurs due to an intervertebral hernia in the cervical spine. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae and prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. With age, discs lose moisture, flatten, and become fragile. As a result, a crack can form in the outer lining of the disc, through which part of the internal gel-like contents of the disc is squeezed into the spinal canal - a hollow vertical tube in the center of the spine that houses the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots that extend from it. Pain occurs when an intervertebral hernia compresses a nearby nerve root.

Another cause of pinched nerves in the cervical spine is osteophytes - growths of the vertebral bodies. As discs age and lose their function, the body begins to grow additional bone tissue to restore stability to the spine. This bone tissue can also compress one of the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord.

When a nerve is pinched in the cervical spine, pain and other symptoms can be felt in absolutely any place innervated by the affected nerve. Pain in the shoulder and arm is one of the common symptoms of a pinched nerve. Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the cervical spine also include:

• stiffness and pain in the neck;
• numbness, tingling in the shoulder and/or arm;
• weakness of the shoulder and/or arm muscles;
• pain under the shoulder blade.

Tests such as MRI, EMG, and nerve conduction studies are used to diagnose a pinched nerve. Treatment of intervertebral hernias and protrusions of the cervical spine should begin as early as possible, since there is no hope for improvement after surgical treatment There is almost no herniation of the cervical spine. Conservative treatment, if treated in a timely manner, is very effective and can completely restore the patient’s health. An integrated approach is preferable. So the use of non-load traction of the spine along with reflexology, various types massage, hirudotherapy, and a special gymnastics complex allows us to help even patients with a narrow spinal canal and large disc herniations, and to treat some variants of myelomalacia.

frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a persistent and painful stiffness of the shoulder joint that causes severely limited movement of the joint.

Adhesive capsulitis occurs when the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint become thickened, inflamed, and tense. As a result, the humerus has little room to move in the joint, making movement stiff and painful. In this case, the pain is often not limited to the shoulder, but goes down the arm.

With adhesive capsulitis, the patient may have difficulty performing daily activities such as dressing, driving, and sleeping comfortably. Some people cannot move their shoulder at all.

Symptoms of adhesive capsulitis can vary widely but usually develop slowly. Symptoms of adhesive capsulitis are usually divided into three stages, which can last several months or even years. In most cases, adhesive capsulitis occurs in people over 40 years of age.

The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood. However, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing adhesive capsulitis. These factors include:

Shoulder injury or shoulder surgery

Shoulder injury or shoulder surgery typically results in a long period of shoulder and arm immobility during recovery;

Diabetes

A person's risk of developing adhesive capsulitis increases with diabetes, but the reasons for this association are not clear;

Other diseases

Conditions that increase the risk of developing adhesive capsulitis include heart and lung disease, hyperthyroidism, and Dupuytren's contracture (palmar fibromatosis).

Damage to the rotator cuff muscle

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Tendons are dense, elastic bundles of fibers that attach muscles to bones.

The rotator cuff keeps the joint in proper position, allowing it to move a moderate amount.

Different types of damage rotator cuff Shoulders cause different symptoms, however common features are as follows:

• the pain is aggravated during activities that involve raising the arm above shoulder level - for example, when brushing;
• pain in the arm and shoulder when moving the arm to the side;
• pain along the front and side of the shoulder;
• pain at night.

The different types of rotator cuff lesions and their causes are described below.

Tendonitis and bursitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon. Bursitis is inflammation of the joint capsule.

Tendonitis and rotator cuff bursitis are usually the result of irritation and inflammation caused by damage to the shoulder due to overuse.

Tendonitis and bursitis, for example, often occur in people who have jobs that involve lifting and carrying heavy loads, as well as in athletes, most often those whose specialty is throwing (javelin or discus).

The tendons and joint capsules can become inflamed with any injury to the shoulder joint. Inflammation means there is little room inside the joint for muscles and bones to move.

If the tendons, muscles, and surrounding tissues become trapped between the bones of the shoulder, any repetitive movement can cause pain.

Tendonitis and bursitis often develop together. When the bursa or tendon becomes pinched between the bones of the shoulder, the condition is commonly called impingement syndrome or pinch syndrome.

If the tendon continually rubs and scrapes against the bones of the shoulder, it can cause the tendon to gradually weaken and eventually rupture.

Muscle and tendon rupture

A muscle or tendon rupture is very severe pain and possible arm and shoulder weakness. Some people experience a characteristic clicking or cracking sound when they move their shoulder.

Tendon rupture most often occurs in people over 40 years of age. Tendon ruptures in young people are usually the result of injury or an accident. In older people, ligament rupture is often associated with impingement syndrome.

It is estimated that approximately half of people over 60 years of age have complete or partial tears of the rotator cuff. This happens because ligaments become weaker with age.

Rotator cuff syndrome

The term "rotator cuff syndrome" is used to describe any type of injury to the rotator cuff tendons, including complete tears.

Shoulder instability

The shoulder joint has a head and a glenoid cavity. The upper end of the humerus is the head of the joint, which fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Shoulder instability occurs when the head of the joint does not move properly in the socket. Shoulder instability can range from a subjective feeling of instability in the shoulder to complete dislocation of the joint, where the head of the joint moves completely away from the socket.

The symptoms of shoulder instability can sometimes be quite vague. People with shoulder instability often describe symptoms similar to those caused by damage to the nerves that supply them. upper limbs: tingling, weakness, numbness in the shoulder and arm, clicks and pops when moving.

If shoulder dislocation occurs, symptoms include:

• severe pain;
• obvious change in hand position;
• muscle spasms;
• limitation of mobility.

Types of shoulder instability

Shoulder instability can be:

• traumatic - the head of the shoulder joint is “knocked out” of the articular cavity due to a sharp force;
• atraumatic - displacement of the shoulder joint occurs gradually.

Traumatic shoulder instability usually results from a car accident or other injury.

Atraumatic shoulder instability typically occurs due to repetitive motions of the arm, such as throwing and swimming.

Shoulder instability most often develops in people under 35 years of age.

Damage to the acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint is a joint in the shoulder that is constructed differently from the shoulder joint. Problems with the acromioclavicular joint include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness and is a common cause of acromioclavicular joint problems;

Ligament rupture or sprain

Ligaments are elastic and elastic bundles connective tissue that connect the bones of the joint to each other;

Partial or complete displacement of the acromioclavicular joint.

Symptoms of acromioclavicular joint injury include:

• joint pain;
• limited mobility in the joint;
• hand pain.

If there is a displacement of the acromioclavicular joint, then, as in the case of displacement of the shoulder joint, it can be visually noticeable.

Risk factors for acromioclavicular joint damage

Problems with the acromioclavicular joint are most common in men aged 20 to 50 years.

People who play contact sports, such as rugby, have an increased risk of developing problems with the acromioclavicular joint.

Damage to the acromioclavicular joint is also common in people who fall on their shoulder, for example while skiing.