h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Shoulder - A Unique Joint - A12130273
Author: Galaxy Babe - Scout/ACE - U128652

U158503 Friar (elvised) wrote all this, I've tidied it up from 5 entries to the old Uni which wasn't completed. Happy to hear suggestions, alterations, typos, etc. I've left a note on Friar's PS in the hopes he joins us here.

Submitted 30 May

Damn! Why did I think this was going to be about pork roasts?

B

we had lamb the other day. Nothing like a good shank.



Will return

Oh no, not more innuendo!

OK - I know nothing of this - however regarding the title - I've got two of them (shoulders) so I don't think they're unique.

What about The Shoulder - A joint alone.

I know someone who's had a shoulder hemiarthroplasty, which is when they replace the ball on the end of the humerus but leave the socket in the scapula alone. This isn't very useful information, but I don't get too many chances to prove I know words like hemiarthroplasty.

Americanism : All TMS devotees will confirm that rotator cuff tears are caused by throwing cricket balls, not baseballs.

I suppose I'd better say something sensible after all that :
There's a bit in the Musculature section, the first sentence about the serratus anterior, that needs checking. The words there seem to have got mixed up.

Thanks Pin

Changed baseball to cricket (and linked to a cricket entry)

I didn't understand that about the serratus anterior either, so I'm glad you mentioned it
I've reworded it, as best as I could.

There seems to be some repetition, do you think it could be pared down somewhat?

Nitpicks:

You need to explain more of the movements of the shoulder joint, namely medial and lateral rotation, extension, flexion, so that lay readers can understand.

A mention of Erb's palsy would be good - actually you could do with mentioning the brachial plexus, as it's kinda important in shoulder damage.

It's worth noting the most common direction of dislocation of the shoulder due to its structure, and that dislocation can damage the axillary nerve leading to weakness of the deltoid and teres minor.

It would be interesting to note which of the muscles give the anterior and posterior folds of the axilla, so that readers can get a better idea of where the muscles are on their own shoulder / armpit.

"Sharing a common sheath with the supraspinatus tendon, bursitis often mimics tendinitis." - I take it you mean that as the subacromial bursa, which lies beneath the supraspinatus tendon, has a common sheath, bursitis often mimics tendinitis.

Alex

Thanks AlexI was hoping someone medical would turn up

Updated

I thought it was a great idea for an entry, GB, even if it had to be rescued to see it to fruition.

Nicely done!

That said, I might like to see a couple of things done, if you find them worthwhile.

1) the shoulder consists of a system of three interconnecting bones, ligaments and muscles.
This might, momentarily, give the unlearned the impression that there are either three of each (bones, ligaments, muscles), or three total.
Perhaps dropping the three, or numbering each of the others will clarify it just that tiny bit more.
Or, 'the shoulder consists of a system of three interconnecting bones, several ligaments and groups of muscles. ' or some such.

2) Re: base vs cricket balls
I suspect that repeated use of the arm for throwing any handy objects would do the same thing, of course; which would, therefore, include throwing rocks, bottles, etc. as in rioting or facing off militia.
Maybe a list of the types of throwing that are likely to create the damage instead?

Thanks Fords

Updated

Dislocation of shoulder and elbow joints are common in toddlers

Do you want me to put that in the entry Matt? or are you joking?

the penny just dropped - sorry Matt.

Toddlers+throwing things repetitively = dislocation.

Think I'll go make myself a

Actually I'm serious as well

Dislocation of joints is common in young 'uns as they are still developing. Many present to GPs and Emergency Departments from the ages of 13 mths to 3 years with dislocate elbows and shoulders and lots of parents fret. But there is nothing to fear, it is comon

It's well known here, too, I think it even has a name of its own, but I can't recall what it is, something with 'father' in it, if I recall correctly ( from walking at the father's hand, trying to stray apart to some dangerous place ( like the road, for instance)and relatively abruptly being pulled back.

It's strange, I've had 4 children and practically raised a grandson and I have never heard of this

'Pulled Elbow' is more common, but shoulder does happen.

added, thanks