Causes and treatment methods

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a strong group of tendons that support it and control its movement. Each group of tendons is responsible for a specific function, such as rotating inward or outward, and raising the arm.

These tendons may be affected by many diseases, including strangulation. What is shoulder tendon strangulation? What are its causes, symptoms and treatment methods?

What is shoulder tendon choke?

Shoulder tendinosis is a narrowing of the tendinous channel through which the shoulder passes. It is an advanced stage of tendonitis, where the fluid surrounding the tendons that facilitates their movement becomes inflamed, leading to difficulty in shoulder movement, and feeling pain when moving the joint.

This suffocation increases the friction of the tendon with the bones of the joint, which leads to increased inflammation and worsening symptoms.

Causes of shoulder tendon suffocation

  Causes of shoulder tendinitis include the following:

     Shoulder injuries that lead to suffocation of the shoulder between the bones of the joint.

     Bone growths below the collarbone and above the shoulder.

     Congenital defects of the clavicle.

     Shoulder tendinitis due to:

     Getting older.

     Constant exposure to cold air currents.

     High levels of uric acid salts in the blood, which leads to their deposition in the joints.

     Violent movements of the shoulder.

     Carrying weights incorrectly.

     Sleeping in wrong positions.

     Lack of sporting activities.

Symptoms of shoulder tendon suffocation

There are several symptoms that indicate suffocation of the shoulder tendons, including:

     Severe pain with some movements, such as bending the hand behind the back, or extending the arm forward.

     The severity of the pain increases over time, as it may extend to the chest and back area.

     Shoulder swelling.

     Hearing a sound (cracking) when moving the joint.

Complications of shoulder tendon strangulation

Neglecting to treat the problem may cause some complications, including:

     Stiffness of the shoulder joint, which increases the difficulty of moving the shoulder in general, which hinders the normal functioning of life.

     The tendon ruptures as a result of friction between it and the shoulder bones, which leads to its weakness and erosion over time, and may lead to a tear in the tendon.

Diagnosis of shoulder tendon herniation

Shoulder tendinosis is diagnosed by the following:

     Clinical examination of the patient, where the doctor asks the patient to perform some movements to determine the areas of injury and their severity.

     X-ray imaging.

     MRI in some cases.

Treatment of shoulder tendon stenosis through tendinous canal expansion surgery

The process of dilating the tendinous canal is a surgical procedure based on the use of an arthroscope. It is the only treatment for shoulder tendon strangulation. The operation must be performed in the early stages of strangulation to avoid damage and rupture of the tendon.

The procedures followed during the operation depend on the location of the asphyxia, its degree, and the extent of its effect on the tendon and bones of the joint. The doctor performs the operation by:

     Treating inflammation around the tendon.

     Removal of bony growths, if any, to expand the tendinous canal.

     Connecting the string using a special “hook” for strings in case it breaks.

After the tendinous canal dilatation operation

The patient must rest the shoulder and not strain it for at least two to three weeks, before starting the physical therapy journey, which is no less important than the surgical procedure.

Doctors warn against ignoring physical therapy due to its importance before and after surgical intervention, which includes undergoing laser, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation sessions in order to strengthen the shoulder muscles, in addition to therapeutic exercises to rehabilitate the shoulder joint. The patient often needs to undergo about 12 to 24 treatment sessions. .

Diagnosing and treating shoulder tendon stenosis in its early stages avoids tendon rupture and tear, and also ends the patient’s suffering with shoulder pain.

  Book your appointment now at the clinics of Dr. Ibrahim Gado – Orthopedic Surgeon Consultant – to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for your condition.