Deltoid Disruption

What is Deltoid Disruption

Deltoid disruption is a shoulder injury. The deltoid is a muscle in the upper arm that is responsible for most of the movement and rotation of the shoulder.

A deltoid disruption occurs when the deltoid muscle pulls away from the bone that is beneath it. The muscle may pull away from the bone completely or partially. This can affect your ability to move your shoulder and arm.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

  • Direct impact on the shoulder or injury to the shoulder.
  • Injury or overuse from throwing hard. This may occur when participating in sports.

Deltoid disruption could also occur as a complication after shoulder surgery.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in people who:

  • Participate in contact sports.
  • Participate in sports that involve throwing hard and repeatedly, such as pitching in baseball.
  • Have had a previous injury to the deltoid muscle.
  • Do not have good physical conditioning, including strength and flexibility.
  • Use anabolic steroids.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Loss of strength in your shoulder and arm.
  • Not being able to move or rotate your shoulder and arm like you normally would.
  • Pain when moving your shoulder. This may be a ripping or tearing sensation.
  • Redness, swelling, or bruising in your shoulder.
  • Your shoulder feeling warm to the touch.
  • Your shoulder looking curved in (concave) or not feeling as firm as before.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on a physical exam and medical history. You may also have imaging tests such as MRI or an X-ray to check for a fracture, dislocation, or rotator cuff injury in your shoulder.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment may include:

  • Rest, ice, and gradual stretching and strengthening exercises.
  • A sling to hold the shoulder in place (immobilization) while it heals.
  • Pain medicine.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Surgery. You may need surgery if you have a severe injury.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

  • Rest the injured area. Avoid activities that cause pain.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Do range-of-motion exercises only as told by your health care provider.

Managing pain and swelling

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Do notdrive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
  • If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
  • If directed, apply heat to the affected area before you exercise. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
    • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
    • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.

General instructions

  • If you have a sling, wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

  • Warm up and stretch before activity.
  • Give your body time to rest and recover between periods of activity.
  • Maintain physical fitness, especially strength and flexibility in your shoulders.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your pain, swelling, or weakness gets worse even with treatment.

Get help right away if:

  • You lose all feeling in your shoulder.
  • You cannot move your shoulder.
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