Dr Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay is a highly qualified orthopaedic surgeon in Gurgaon. He is an accomplished expert in the field of advanced arthroscopic shoulder surgeries and the management of sports injuries. He brings over 14+ years of experience having done more than 4000 ACL, 700+ PCL surgeries, 5000+ meniscus surgeries, 3000+ rotator cuff repairs and 3000+ bankart repairs. He has worked with top-notch institutions in this field including – Sports Injury Centre, Safdarjung hospital (Delhi), TUM (Munich, Germany), Queen Mary Hospital (Hong Kong), Wrightington (NHS, UK).
Shoulder osteoarthritis – symptoms, causes & treatment
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the joints. However, this one symptom is used to describe more than 100 different types of arthritis. One of the more common types is osteoarthritis. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 9% of men and 18% of women suffer from osteoarthritis across the globe. Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent and mostly affects the shoulder joint. Several men and women, worldwide, are living with the symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis.
In this article, Dr Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital, explores what is osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
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Your shoulder is made up of three bones – upper arm bone, shoulder blade and collarbone. These bones make up two joints inside your shoulder:
The ends of your shoulder bones are protected by a smooth white tissue known as articular cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is the degenerative wear and tear of the articular cartilage. Over several years of use, the smooth protective tissue between the bones decreases. As a result, the bones of a joint rub against each other causing pain and swelling.
As the name suggests, osteoarthritis in the shoulder joint is a degenerative joint disease of the shoulder. When this ailment affects the glenohumeral joint, it is known as glenohumeral osteoarthritis shoulder.
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis shoulder is more common and prevalent than arthritis in the acromioclavicular joint.
The primary symptom of osteoarthritis in the shoulder joint is pain. However, shoulder osteoarthritis symptoms are characterised by pain that occurs while moving the shoulder or after you have moved the shoulder.
Other common symptoms of shoulder arthritis include limited or restricted range of motion, a clicking noise while moving the shoulder joint and an increase in pain while sleeping.
As mentioned above, shoulder osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by the wear and tear of the shoulder joint. Over a span of several years, shoulder arthritis occurs due to overuse or aging. Primarily, osteoarthritis of left shoulder or even the right shoulder happens when the cartilage (soft tissue) in between the bones of the joints begin to break down.
Shoulder arthritis is highly common in people over the age of 50 years. However, it can also affect younger people. Mostly, in young people, this ailment is a result of injury or trauma, for example, shoulder dislocation or fracture.
It is evident that no person is exempt from developing osteoarthritis. However, the risk for osteoarthritis of right shoulder or left increases due to:
Your orthopaedic doctor will conduct a few tests to diagnose osteoarthritis of left shoulder or osteoarthritis of right shoulder. Before a shoulder osteoarthritis treatment is offered, it is important to draw a thorough diagnosis. Here is what the diagnosis protocol entails:
After the diagnosis is complete, your doctor offers the right shoulder osteoarthritis treatment depending on your overall wellbeing, age and health.
Shoulder osteoarthritis treatment is unique for every patient. Several factors such as your overall general health, age, past medical records, the severity of symptoms and more determine which treatment is ideal for you.
Here are some common methods of shoulder osteoarthritis treatment:
Osteoarthritis shoulder replacement is also known as shoulder arthroplasty. It is a partial or total invasive procedure and is often recommended as a last resort for advanced arthritis. Osteoarthritis shoulder surgery recovery time is nearly 3-6 weeks.
Another treatment procedure is stem cell therapy- stem cell therapy doctors for osteoarthritis of the shoulder. It is a fairly new method that involves the use of stem cells (building blocks of human tissue) for the treatment of arthritis.
As mentioned above, the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in human body. Due to its excessive use over the years, nearly everyone is at a risk of developing an arthritic condition concerning the shoulder.
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a common ailment that affects several people in India. Despite its rising figures, the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder is accessible.
Book an appointment with Dr Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay, a leading orthopaedic doctor at the CK Birla Hospital to learn more about treatment methods for shoulder conditions.
Ques: Is osteoarthritis of the shoulder common?
Ans: Yes, osteoarthritis of the shoulder is the most common form of arthritis affecting the shoulder.
Ques: What does osteoarthritis of the shoulder feel like?
Ans: Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced range of motion of the shoulder.
Ques: Can shoulder osteoarthritis be cured?
Ans: No, there is no cure for shoulder osteoarthritis. However, this ailment can be treated effectively to relieve symptoms and improve strength.
Ques: What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?
Ans: There are several treatment methods for osteoarthritis. The best treatment for each patient is distinct and depends upon their health, symptoms and age.
Also, read: What is frozen shoulder? Causes, prevention and treatment
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What is frozen shoulder? Causes, prevention and treatment
Often pain in the shoulder is inappropriately given a blanket diagnosis of ‘frozen shoulder’. The first course of action by most people is to undergo physiotherapy. However, it is not enough to have untargeted physical therapy without proper diagnosis. More than 50% of older adults with diabetes are affected with frozen shoulder. It is, thus, important to understand the basics of this ailment. In this article, Dr Reetadyuti, the best shoulder specialist in Gurgaon, offers a complete guide of what is frozen shoulder and how to diagnose frozen shoulder.
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Frozen shoulder is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects the shoulder joint. It is medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis.
This condition characterised by shoulder stiffness, pain and a restricted range of motion.
Primarily, the symptoms of a frozen shoulder include a dull pain and shoulder stiffness. You may also experience a similar pain spreading to your upper arm. In this condition, the sensation of discomfort tends to worsen in night.
A frozen shoulder progresses gradually in three stages. Each stage has a distinguished set of symptoms to look out for:
The anatomy of your shoulder consists of three bones. These bones are structured in a way that forms a ball and socket joint protected by a capsule of connective tissues. Over time, the connective tissues in the shoulder joint can become thicker, tighter, and inflamed. This stiffness limits the mobility of your shoulder and causes severe pain.
Frozen shoulder can affect any person irrespective of their age and gender. However, some population groups are more likely to be affected by this condition. The common risk factors for developing frozen shoulder are:
Your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history with you. He/she will ask you about the symptoms, the first time you noticed pain and stiffness and the effect of symptoms in your routine.
A general physical exam and frozen shoulder test are enough to diagnose frozen shoulder. There are three essential elements of a frozen shoulder test.
Your shoulder specialist may also order some imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans to rule out the possibility of other musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis or rotator cuff tear.
The fundamental step on how to cure frozen shoulder quickly is pain management. As the stage progresses, your healthcare provider may indicate other treatment modalities to get rid of frozen shoulder.
Hot and cold compress: Based on your diagnosis and severity of symptoms, your healthcare provider will suggest either a hot or a cold compress. Heat and cold compresses help reduce the pain and stiffness in the joint.
Medicines: Your doctor will prescribe relevant pain relief medications for your condition. The alleviation of pain is the foremost step towards frozen shoulder treatment.
Physical therapy: As your pain and swelling subside, your doctor will progress the treatment by indicating physiotherapy. A trained physical therapist will perform stretching exercises to improve your range of motion.
Surgical procedures: Mostly a frozen shoulder gets better with the use of medicines and physiotherapy within a few months. Nevertheless, there are rare incidents that require surgical intervention. Your healthcare provider may indicate joint distension, shoulder manipulation and other arthroscopic procedures to treat persistent frozen shoulder.
Though frozen shoulder causes and cure are often overlooked, it is possible to prevent the incidence of frozen shoulder, especially when you are recovering from a shoulder injury. Physical therapy by a verified therapist is a great preventive measure. If you have suffered from a shoulder injury or begun experiencing pain, you should avail physiotherapy to stop the condition from progressing further.
Some exercises can also be done routinely at home. Your healthcare provider can help formulate an effective exercise regime for you to practise at home.
If it is not treated properly, a frozen shoulder can cause long-lasting pain and immobility. A timely and proper diagnosis is crucial to care for a frozen shoulder. Your shoulder specialist will guide you towards a healthy lifestyle that includes activities suitable for your shoulder joints.
Book an appointment with Dr Reetadyuti, the best shoulder specialist in Gurgaon at the CK Birla Hospital, to learn more about the shoulder and joint conditions.
Ques: What is frozen shoulder pain like?
Frozen shoulder pain is like a dull and achy pain in the shoulder that may worsen during the night.
Ques: Is it OK to massage a frozen shoulder?
Yes, you can massage and stretch a frozen shoulder to relieve tension and tightness.
Ques: Why does a frozen shoulder hurt more at night?
It is because, during the night, when you lay down, the inflamed area of your shoulder becomes compressed and causes increased stiffness and pain.
Ques: Is surgery an option for frozen shoulder?
Yes, surgical repair of a frozen shoulder is an option. However, most frozen shoulders are treated non-surgically.
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Complete guide: What is a sports injury, its causes, management and recovery?
Remember when we were kids, our parents would tell us to only concentrate on our studies. Extracurricular activities like playing sports or learning music were given less importance. Thankfully, this thinking has changed now and sports has gained prominence. People understand the contribution of athletics and games for a healthy life. However, it may also lead to injuries. In this article, Dr Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay, Sports Injury Specialist at the CK Birla Hospital explores what is sports injury.
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Those who participate in regular physical activities have reduced risks of complications. Nonetheless, getting injured while playing sports is also natural as no one is immune to injuries. With an increased participation in sports events at school levels, sports injuries are also quite common in children. Dancers and gym-goers are also at a high risk of sports injuries.
There are different reasons and factors that lead to a sport-associated injury. Listed below are some of what are the main causes of sports injuries:
Every individual is different and so is their physical structure. There may be one or two weak points in everyone that are more prone to injuries. Being unaware of these physical limitations can cause injuries that might restrict sports activities and cause pain and discomfort.
Sports injuries can be broadly classified into minor and major injuries. The differentiation is done based on the severity and complexity of the injury. The most common first-aid technique on how to recover from sports injuries is using the R.I.C.E. approach, i.e. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
It is one of the most common sports injuries. A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle twists or rolls awkwardly. This awkward movement of the ankle can tear or stretch the ligaments holding the joints together. This can cause pain and discomfort.
Most sprained ankles cause tears on the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
Treatment
The best treatment for a sprained ankle is keeping the ankle compressed in the first 24 hours. The elevation should keep the ankle above the heart level to help in reducing swelling.
Ice packs should be applied to the affected area intermittently. Slowly after 24 hours, mild pressure can be applied on the ankle. Rest and correct care are the only ways to heal up from a sprained ankle and resume normal activities.
Also, read: Common foot and ankle injuries amongst athletes
A groin pull injury is the result of too much pressure on the muscles of the groin and thigh area. This type of sports injury is typical in activities which require a lot of jumping and running such as football and hockey.
A groin pull causes pain and tenderness to the inside of the thigh. It also causes pain during the movement of the knee. The severity of this type of injury depends on the level of strain put on the groin muscles.
Treatment
The best cure for a groin pull is to rest and to apply ice packs. The groin muscles heal once all the pain and swelling reduces. To rule out other complications associated with this sports injury, doctors take X-rays along with a physical examination of the injured area.
Depending on the results of the X-ray, doctors may prescribe painkillers.
Hamstrings are a group of three muscles that run along your thigh. A hamstring strain happens when one or more of these muscles is overloaded with pressure.
Excessive pull on these muscles can lead to a tear. Even the slightest pain caused in the hamstring requires clinical intervention. The more severe the hamstring pull, the harder it becomes to walk or even stand.
Treatment
Similar to groin pulls and ankle sprain, hamstring strains heal on their own, given enough time. Patients should avoid putting weight on the injured leg. Applying ice packs reduces swelling and decreases pain.
The affected area should be compressed with a bandage to allow for a faster healing. However, a severe sports injury to the hamstring requires surgery to fix the muscles internally.
Strengthening exercises and stretching are some tips on how sports injuries can be prevented.
ACL stands for the anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL injury acts as a connecting muscle between the thighs and the shin. It is one of the vital ligaments that secure the knee joints. An ACL injury occurs when a sudden jarring movement to the knee pops it out of the joint.
The injury causes swelling at the knee and makes it difficult to stand or walk.
Treatment
Imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs offer a proper look into the severity of the injury. Unfortunately, most ACL injuries require surgery to regain full function of the knees – especially so for young athletes.
Even after surgery, the patients need physiotherapy as specific exercises help in restoring knee functions and adding strength to the leg muscles.
Also Watch: Hip Replacement Explained by Dr. Ashwani Maichand
Broken bones or fractures are quite common in those pursuing sports. However, the severity of the injury depends on the way the bones are broken. Due to the repetitive nature of movements during certain sports, stress fractures that cause a slight break in the bone are quite common in players.
Severe fractures also occur due to a sudden and forceful push against bones while participating in sports.
Treatment
A stress fracture usually requires six to eight weeks to heal completely. The affected area is compressed and iced to reduce swelling. A severe fracture involving broken bones, either wholly or partially, requires surgery to align the bones back together.
As bones take between six to twelve weeks to heal completely, the physician will check the patient periodically to assess healing after surgery. Depending on how fast the bones heal, physiotherapy exercises are done to strengthen the bones.
These injuries are a result of constant, repetitive, and prolonged use of muscles as in sports like running, cycling, and swimming. Stress fractures, runner’s knee, and tennis elbow are also common sports injuries.
The major cause of these chronic injuries is the lack of proper training given to athletes.
Treatment
As chronic injuries are subtle and develop over time, patients must report even the slightest discomfort and pain to the Sports Injuries doctor for evaluation.
Along with resting the affected area, most chronic injuries can be alleviated with the use of medication accompanied by physiotherapy.
Sports injuries are unpredictable and hence, unavoidable. However, you can reduce the occurrence of injury with a few preventive measures.
Here’s how sports injuries can be prevented:
The foremost thing to do to reduce the occurrence of sports injuries is to invest in good quality sporting gear. You should also develop a correct fitness regime that focuses on core exercises and stretching all the relevant muscles.
Sportspersons, gym-goers, and dancers can benefit immensely with guidance from trainers who excel at providing such support. Sports therapy is a compulsory part of an athlete’s fitness protocol that seeks to reduce the impact of sports injuries.
Therapy also involves rehabilitation of the players to resume their normal activities as soon as possible.
It is nearly impossible to survive in this competitive arena without going through a sports injury. The best way to combat common sports injuries is by acknowledging the directives given by the trainers and orthopedic doctors. The above article offers insights on what are the main causes of sports injuries and how to recover them.
For more information or personalised guidance on how to deal with sports injuries, you can visit the CK Birla Hospital.
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