Shoulder pain is one of the most common sources of discomfort. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 67 percent of people experience it at some point in their lives. That’s because the shoulder is one of the largest joints in your body and, therefore one of the most vulnerable to injury or illness.
There are many different forms of shoulder pain that can occur for a host of reasons. Here are five common reasons for shoulder pain:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries and Tears – The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that help stabilize the shoulder and support its movement. It’s also susceptible to injury in the form of:
- Bursitis caused by inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sacs that help the shoulder move
- Tendonitis caused by inflammation due to overuse of the shoulder muscles
- Tears caused by an acute injury
Common symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include a limited range of motion, tenderness when reaching upward, and shoulder pain at night. Treatment depends on the severity of your condition. Most cases can be resolved through rest, ice, and physical therapy, while surgery may be required to fix more extensive tears.
- Osteoarthritis – This disease occurs when the protective cartilage that covers the shoulder joint begins to wear down. When that happens, there’s more friction between the bones of the socket leading to bone damage. That creates pain, swelling, stiffness, and a limited range of motion. Treatment for osteoarthritis may range from medication, exercise, and physical therapy to surgery in which damaged tissue is cleaned or the shoulder joint completely replaced.
Adhesive Capsulitis – More commonly known as frozen shoulder, this condition typically occurs when shoulder tissue thickens and scars, leaving little room for the joint to rotate properly. This results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and a limited range of motion. However, this condition actually becomes worse the less you use your shoulder. No treatment is necessary for frozen shoulder, but it can take as long as three years to heal naturally if it goes untreated. Physical therapy and shoulder manipulation by a doctor can help speed up the healing process.
Shoulder Dislocation – This can occur as the result of a fall or forceful impact, such as during contact sports. What happens is that the humerus (arm) bone is jarred loose from its socket, which can also tear ligaments and tendons. A shoulder dislocation can be extremely painful and requires immediate medical attention as improper care can lead to nerve damage. A medical professional can set a dislocated shoulder back into its socket. Then it’s just a matter of immobilizing the arm in a sling for a few weeks and undergoing rehabilitation exercise to recover from the injury. However, surgery to repair ligaments may be required if dislocation of the shoulder becomes a chronic condition.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – A group of disorders involving compressed nerves or blood vessels in the area between your collarbone and your ribs. As a result, you feel pain in your shoulders and neck, as well as some numbness in your fingers and discoloration in your arms due to inadequate blood flow. Certain conditions such as repetitive movement or injury, severe impact, weight gain, or pregnancy can trigger thoracic outlet syndrome. Treatment typically includes physical therapy, medication, and certain lifestyle changes, or if these approaches fail, surgery.
Of course, there are many other causes of shoulder pain including fractures, whiplash, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and lupus, just to name a few. That’s why it’s important to select a reputable surgeon to restore your mobility if you are experiencing chronic shoulder pain. The staff at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder is highly skilled at performing shoulder diagnoses and surgeries – and they’ve helped patients with a wide range of orthopedic issues. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call (410) 296-6232.
