Cartilage damage in the shoulder joint

The glenohumeral joint consists of the humeral head (caput humeri) and the glenoid cavity (cavitas glenoidales), both of which are covered with cartilage. The cartilage structure and synovial fluid ensure that there is no friction or pain during movement. If there is cartilage damage, i.e. a kind of tear in the cartilage tissue, pain may occur, which may need to be treated.

This can be a small tear, but it can also be much more extensive under certain circumstances. The problem with cartilage damage is that the cartilage does not have its own blood supply like most other structures in our body, but is largely supplied by other structures. If cartilage tissue is damaged, the body’s own regeneration is usually very limited for this reason. Cartilage baldness describes the condition when there is no more cartilage.

Causes

The reasons for cartilage damage cannot always be clearly diagnosed. One damage can have several causes. A previous accident is typical for such an abrasion of the cartilage tissue, but also wrong, excessive loads can cause such damage as a consequence.

If the joint is subjected to a sudden, very heavy load, for example in a car accident or during sports, the cartilage can be damaged. In the shoulder, the occurrence of cartilage damage can typically be promoted by certain sports. These include tennis, American football, wrestling, bodybuilding and shot put.

It is also common for a piece of cartilage to chip off, which can lead to pain and restricted mobility. Permanent mechanical stress on the joint over a long period of time also results in cartilage damage in the joints. Risk factors for the development of a chronic disease of the joints, such as arthritis, are typically overweight and certain occupational groups, which therefore expose their joints to high stress. Often, damage from that cause is more extensive than damage after an accident or sports injury. Influencing factors such as age and individual stress on the joint also play a decisive role in the development of these diseases.