Introduction: Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons for visiting the doctor. The most common pathologies affecting the shoulder are glenohumeral dislocation, clavicle and humerus fractures, rotator cuff and acromioclavicular joint injuries, compression syndrome,
frozen shoulder syndrome, oteoarthritis, tendon and bursa inflammation. Rehabilitation after injuries and various pathologies is conservative and/or surgical. Conservative treatment involves the application of orthoses to support, stabilise and/or immobilise the joint. A distinction is made between static and dynamic orthoses, over-the-counter and individually made orthoses for shoulder joint. The appropriate orthosis is prescribed for each individual.
Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work is to present the most common pathologies and injuries of the shoulder joint and the orthoses used to treat or immobilise it. Additionaly we will review and compare orthosis offers on the Slovenian and international online markets. Methods: The literature was searched in english on Google scholar and PubMed databases using the search string: (»shoulder sling« OR »shoulder brace« OR »shoulder orthosis«) AND »conservative treatment«. For Slovenian literature, we used the search string: (»ortoze« OR »opornice«) AND »ramenski sklep«. Results: 10 results were included in this work, in most of them the authors compared conservative treatment with operative treatment and, in one study, the outcomes of treatment of the same pathology with different orthoses.
We compared the orthoses available on the Slovenian and foreign markets. Discussion and conclusion: The method of treatment of injuries/diseases of the shoulder joint depends on the pathology itself or injuries. Based on examination, the appropriate type of orthosis and the time of it's application are prescribed. The same goes for orthoses intended for postoperative immobilisation/stabilisation. The choice of the type of treatment is influenced by several factors including the patient's age, activity level and their wishes. The range of orthoses available over-the-counter is numerous and various. As a consequence, the selection of the appropriate orthosis for people without medical consult can be difficult. The use of incorrect orthoses or incorrect application can lead to deterioration of the condition and/or the development of additional problems. Knowledge of the anatomy and the correct use of
an appropriate orthosis are crucial for successful rehabilitation and functionality.
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