Loose Bodies – Shoulder

Loose bodies of the shoulder are pieces of bone or cartilage that have either broken off or developed in shoulder and float around in the shoulder. But, they are rare, but repeated shoulder injuries can be a cause. The commonest symptom are catching / locking sensation of the joint. Loose bodies can also cause a decrease in shoulder motion. However, if there are nil or mild symptoms, no surgery is needed to continue with normal life activities.

CAUSES

• Shoulder Injuries
• Arthritis
• Synovial Chondromatosis
• Synovial Osteochondromatosis
• Osteochondritis Dessicans

Some people have loose bodies that cause no symptoms and are unaware of the condition.Some loose pieces of cartilage or bone get stuck in the joint and cause various problems, eg. pain and locking.

Symptoms of Loose Bodies 

Symptoms of loose bodies include:

Locking or Catching sensation

• Pain
• Decreased range of motion 
• Stiffness 
• A feeling that your shoulder is out of place
• Shoulder instability
• Secondary Arthritis

DIAGNOSIS

Most loose bodies in the shoulder can be easily detected with an X-ray, though an MRI or CT scan may be needed to locate less conspicuous objects.

To diagnose and locate loose bodies of the shoulder, your orthopedic shoulder specialist will:

• Take a detailed medical history 
• Ask about previous injuries
• Perform a physical exam
• Evaluate your shoulder’s range of motion and ability to perform specific movements 
• Use diagnostic imaging like an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or a diagnostic arthroscopy

TREATMENT

If they aren’t causing persistent pain, they can be treated with NSAIDs. More severe cases are best addressed with arthroscopic (key-hole) surgery.