The shoulder joint consists of a large head of the humerus and a much smaller pelvic hollow of the scapula. The area of the hollow itself is strengthened by a cartilaginous-ligamentous edge called the rim, which enlarges the articular surface. It is a very important stabilizing element. Another element of the shoulder joint is the rotator cuff – also known as the rotator cuff, a set of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder and provide support.
The shoulder joint is a spherical joint characterized by a wide range of motion in many directions: flexion and straightness, retraction and retraction, external and internal rotation. Due to the high mobility and extensive anatomical structure, any activity using arm movements, especially performed above the head, can cause overloads and, as a result, damage to soft tissues. It often causes shoulder pain among athletes.
Subbar tightness syndrome
Shoulder pain ranks third among the most commonly reported musculoskeletal disorders, and subbar tightness syndrome accounts for about 10% of all musculoskeletal disorders. half of all cases of shoulder pain. This is a complex of pathologies located in the subbar space associated with the subbar calcaneus and rotator cuff tendons. The causes of the syndrome can be very different, for example: prolonged movements of the upper limb above the head, causing damage to the rotator cuff with the onset of inflammation, which narrows the subcostal space. Among the factors may be degeneration of the supraspinatus muscle causing the stronger deltoid muscle to pull the head of the humerus towards itself, which reduces the subcostal space causing tightness.
Symptoms
The syndrome generally affects patients over the age of 40 who suffer from persistent shoulder pain. Most often, this is a degenerative condition that develops over months, and not the result of a sudden trauma. The main symptom is shoulder pain, which can have acute or chronic symptoms. Discomfort most often occurs locally when lifting the arm at an angle of 70-120°. Shoulder pain can be especially felt when performing activities with your hands raised up, as well as when sleeping on a sick arm.
Diagnosis
Shoulder pain caused by subbar tightness usually does not go away on its own, especially if we are still physically active and the cause of the discomfort is not removed. Therefore, it is worth consulting with a sports orthopedist in order to diagnose and begin treatment. There are many conditions that cause shoulder pain that may resemble subbar syndrome. Therefore, for proper diagnosis, in addition to a detailed medical history, several specific tests should be performed, such as: neer, Hawkins, Jobe, Yocum or a painful arc test. In the diagnosis is also helpful x-ray, as well as ultrasound and MRI, useful in assessing the degree of pathology of the rotator cuff.