Shoulder Diseases: Modern Treatments at the Service of the Patient
Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems and one of the most common reasons for seeking specialist orthopaedics.
It can significantly limit joint movement and consequently significantly affect the level of activity and quality of life of patients.
Most Common Diseases and Ways to Treat Them
- Rotator cuff tendonitis: It is a result of continuous friction and overuse of the tendons. It can occur at all ages, but most often affects patients aged 30-50. Shoulder pain usually occurs when raising the arm above the level of the head. Therapeutically, the first intervention is conservative, with a physical therapy program, administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and injections of biological agents. When symptoms do not subside, shoulder arthroscopy is indicated for the definitive solution to the problem.
- Rotator cuff tendon rupture: In this very common condition, which is observed in both young and older patients, there is a break in continuity, that is, a rupture of the tendon. The tendon that most often ruptures is the supraspinatus, whose main function is to raise the arm. The pain in the shoulder is quite intense even during sleep. It is an extremely painful and limiting condition and in the vast majority of cases must be treated surgically using minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopic tendon repair.
- Shoulder Arthritis: A condition in which the degeneration of the joint surfaces causes severe pain, creaking, and limitation of shoulder movement. In the early stages of the disease, injections of hyaluronic acid and biological agents can reduce pain and delay progression. When arthritis is advanced, the only solution is surgical repair with implant placement.
- Shoulder Fractures or Dislocations: Fractures of the humeral head, as well as fractures of the clavicle, are extremely painful injuries and are usually treated surgically. They are caused after falls and require immediate rehabilitation in order to immediately restore the functionality of the upper limb. Dislocation of the humeral head causes severe pain in the shoulder, and requires immediate treatment. In case of shoulder instability, especially in younger patients, surgical treatment is required, with shoulder arthroscopy.
- Calcific Tendonitis: A condition in which there is an accumulation and deposition of calcium within the tendon. The pain in the shoulder is sometimes very intense and requires immediate assessment and treatment by a specialized orthopedic shoulder surgeon. The treatment is most often surgical, where the calcium that has accumulated is removed with shoulder arthroscopy.
- Frozen Shoulder: Characterized by the development of adhesions within the joint with severe shoulder pain and significant limitation of movement. Initially, it is treated with physical therapy and the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone. If the movement of the shoulder remains limited, shoulder arthroscopy is required in order to resolve the adhesions and definitively solve the problem.
Organized Hospital Structures:
It should be noted that a catalytic role in the treatment of these specific diseases is played by the organized hospital structure and the specialization of the treating physician. At the Department of Upper Limb Surgery of the Athens Medical Center, we are informed daily about new technologies and materials, while through the investments of the Athens Medical Group, the Department has state-of-the-art biomedical equipment, which, combined with our many years of experience, allows us to treat even the most complex diseases.
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