About 13 million people visit the doctor's office a year in the U.S. for a shoulder problem, including 3.7 million visits for shoulder and upper arm sprains and strains, according to the National Center for Health Sources medical care survey.
Most problems in the shoulder involve the muscles, ligaments and tendons rather than bones.
Four muscles in this region form the rotator cuff, which is a major source of stability in the shoulder. The rotator cuff can be prone to tears and weakening for a number of reasons, including strain and overuse.
In the military, shoulder injuries are prevalent. One of the most common shoulder injuries seen at Logistical Support Area Anaconda is shoulder impingement.
"Impingement occurs when the tendons or the bursa sacs are pinched together when raising the arm over the head," said Capt. David Browder, orthopedic section, Air Force Theater Support Hospital.
Impingement is actually pinching of the shoulder tissue against the bone on the top end of the shoulder which then causes inflammation and pain and can lead to serious damage over time.
Impingement can be caused by activities that involve excessive overhead motion, like mechanics working on equipment, and can develop in Soldiers who increase their weight training, Browder said.
"Wearing body armor also places weight on the shoulder which causes the pinching motion when you raise you hands above your head," he said.
How do you know if you have a shoulder impingement or injury? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the shoulder stiff?
- Can you rotate your arm in all the normal positions?
- Does it feel like your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket?
- Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?
If you answer "yes" to any one of these questions, you should visit your nearest troop medical clinic or the Air Force Theater Hospital at Logistical Support Area Anaconda to determine the severity of the problem.
Do not ignore the pain as it will only aggravate the condition and possibly cause more problems. Soldiers may also underestimate the extent of the injury because steady pain or the limitation of joint motion has become almost second nature to them.
Early detection is the key to preventing serious shoulder injuries.
"The best way to prevent these injuries is proper training and rest cycles," Browder said.
Many times, orthopedic surgeons will prescribe a series of exercises aimed at strengthening shoulder muscles.
Here is a series of shoulder exercises aimed at helping individuals strengthen their shoulder muscles and prevent injuries.
Basic Shoulder Strengthening Exercise:
Using a resistance band or cable machine, do the following two exercises:
- Internal Rotation:
With towel under arm and elbow bent 90 degrees, start with arm out to side and pull it into your body
- External Rotatio:
With towel under arm and elbow bent 90 degrees, start with arm into your body and pull out to side.
- Wall climbing flexion:
Stand facing a wall, use fingers to walk forward up the wall, moving and stretching the shoulder. As you reach about shoulder level, move in closer to the wall.
- Wall climbing abduction:
Stand to side of the wall, use fingers to walk up and to the side, moving and stretching the shoulder. As you reach above shoulder level move in closer to the wall.
Remember, no one is immune from these injuries but use these tips to help reduce your risk of injury:
- Warm up before any sports activity, including practice.
- Participate in a conditioning program to build muscle strength.
- Do stretching exercises daily.
- Listen to your body. Never work out if you experience pain in shoulder.
- As always, if you have any type of extremity pain, visit a TMC to help determine the severity of the problem.
- Information provided by Capt. Stephen Seward, SP, PT, OCS.
| Date Taken: |
01.12.2006 |
| Date Posted: |
01.12.2006 11:48 |
| Story ID: |
5093 |
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