The shoulder joint consists of the proximal part, the humerus, the scapula and the clavicle. It is divided into two articular cavities, the subacromial space and the glenohumeral joint. In the subacromial zone is where the rotator cuff tendons lie, which slide inside. At the glenohumeral level, the ligaments act as a reinforcement preventing joint dislocation. The shoulder muscles, especially the deltoid and rotator muscles, provide strength and movement to the joint.

The rotator cuff is formed by a group of four tendons: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, minor round and subscapularis. Due to trauma or wear the tendons may rupture.

The shoulder joint consists of the proximal part, the humerus, the scapula and the clavicle. It is divided into two articular cavities, the subacromial space and the glenohumeral joint. In the subacromial zone is where the rotator cuff tendons lie, which slide inside.

At the glenohumeral level, the ligaments act as a reinforcement preventing joint dislocation.

The shoulder muscles, especially the deltoid and rotator muscles, provide strength and movement to the joint.

The acromion is a part of the scapula bone that forms the roof of the shoulder joint. Underneath it the tendons of the rotator cuff slide. Over time and due to continued use of the shoulder in activities with the raised arm, there is a thickening of the same and secondarily a pinching of the tendons. The main symptom is pain, often nocturnal, and worsening with activities with the raised arm. The initial treatment is conservative: rehabilitation and medication. Sometimes infiltration may be necessary. If there is no improvement the treatment is surgical. An arthroscopy of the shoulder is performed and the thickening of the acromion with motorized cutters is eliminated. The recovery will be complete in a few months.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint of the body and therefore one of the most prone to instability. There are varying degrees of instability, from incomplete dislocations (subluxations) to complete displacements of the humeral head (dislocations). The fundamental symptoms of dislocation are severe pain and inability to move the arm. Immediate reduction should be carried out. The initial treatment is conservative, but if this fails a recurrent dislocation occurs and surgery will have to be used. In young athletes, surgical repair can be performed after the first dislocation. The lesions of the damaged ligaments are repaired with screws and sutures that are implanted by the arthroscopic route. Subsequently, rehabilitation is carried out. At present the results of the arthroscopic repair are similar to conventional surgery (95%), with a more comfortable postoperative and with a better final mobility of the shoulder.

In certain sports with throwing of the ball above the head, mainly handball, tennis and volleyball can occur lesions of the superior ligaments of the shoulder associated with injuries of the rotator cuff. The fundamental symptom is pain associated with loss of strength when throwing ball. The initial treatment is conservative, but if this fails, you will have to resort to surgery. Lesions of damaged ligaments are repaired with screws and sutures that are implanted arthroscopically. Subsequently, rehabilitation is carried out. At present the results of arthroscopic repair are favorable, with a more comfortable postoperative.

In the practice of certain sports (skiing, football) injuries of the clavicle ligaments can occur with dislocation and elevation of the same after fall on the shoulder. The fundamental symptom is the pain associated with elevation of the clavicle (key sign). The treatment if the clavicle is little displaced, is conservative. If it is very displaced the treatment is surgical. The traditional method consists of open surgery, with an important scar and a very painful postoperative. We performed the repair with arthroscopy obtaining a better esthetic result and a more comfortable postoperative. In addition the damage to the shoulder muscles is lower allowing a better recovery of the patient.

The rotator cuff may have small calcification associated with shoulder tendonitis. The main symptom is the pain, often nocturnal and very intense, that gets worse when raising the arm. There may also be weakness. The initial treatment is conservative: medication and physiotherapy, being necessary at times to make infiltrations. If there is no improvement the treatment is surgical. An arthroscopy of the shoulder is performed and calcification is eliminated. After surgery, the arm is placed in a sling and a rehabilitation program is performed. The recovery is satisfactory in a few months.