Shoulder injuries are a common yet often overlooked issue that can cause significant pain and limit the range of motion. You don’t have to be doing an intense activity to receive a shoulder injury; they can result from direct impact on the shoulder joint or repetitive use over time. The average person must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of shoulder injuries and immediately take steps to mitigate or prevent further injuries.With proper diagnosis & treatment provided through a combination of rest & physical therapy exercises tailored toward an individual’s needs, recovering from a shoulder injury should not take too long.
Let’s learn more about shoulder injuries, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and where you can go for should injury treatment in Baltimore, MD.
Diagnosing Shoulder Injuries
The first step in managing shoulder injuries is to identify the reasons they happen. Identifying the cause will help determine an appropriate treatment plan; your shoulder doctor will typically also request that you undergo an MRI or x-ray diagnostic test to confirm your injury and its severity. Traumatic shoulder injuries typically stem from a direct impact or fall on the shoulder joint. Impact-related injuries typically cause immediate pain and swelling, limited mobility, and sometimes even bruising around the affected area.
On the other hand, if a shoulder injury is due to repetitive use or strain over time — such as from playing sports, lifting heavy objects, or even office work — it may be more challenging to pinpoint the exact moment when the injury occurred. Injuries from repetitive movement may take longer to heal because they don’t receive immediate treatment.
Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries
Most shoulder injuries share symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Acute sharp pain when attempting specific movements
- Stiffness
- decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness in arm movements
- Popping/cracking sensation when moving
- Bruising or redness
An individual should seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms are present during recovery, as they may indicate further complications like rotator cuff tear or nerve impingement.
Shoulder Injury Treatment
Treatment for a shoulder injury depends on its severity and type. Rest is usually the best course of action for minor issues like muscle strains or tendinitis. Patients can apply ice for fifteen minutes every few hours for two days following the initial onset of pain.
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen may also be beneficial for reducing inflammation and managing mild-to-moderate pain levels. Physical therapy exercises for strengthening specific muscles and increasing flexibility around the joint area may also help speed up recovery processes while preventing future complications from arising down the line.
Surgery
A shoulder doctor may recommend surgery in more severe cases where connective tissues such as ligaments sustain damage. A shoulder doctor will likely confirm the severity of the injury via imaging tests such as x-rays or MRI scans before recommending surgery.
During surgery, shoulder surgeons repair or reattach torn ligaments and tendons using sutures or grafts taken from other parts of the patient’s body. After surgery, a patient should ideally do physical therapy exercises to ensure a full recovery without any further setbacks occurring later down the road.
Preventing Shoulder Injuries
While treatments for shoulder injuries exist, prevention is still preferable to having to undergo surgery or being unable to work and play for several days following an injury. There are several things that individuals can do each day to prevent shoulder injuries from occurring in the first place:
- Proper warm-ups before exercise/activity
- Stretching muscles around the neck and shoulders post-activity
- Maintaining good posture throughout the day and while sleeping
- Avoiding carrying heavy objects too frequently
- Taking regular breaks while playing sports or working out
Taking breaks is particularly critical if a patient experiences sharp pains soon after they begin an activity. Pain is a sign that something is wrong, so a person must pay attention to any aches and pains they experience.
Shoulder Doctors in Baltimore, MD
If you’ve sustained a shoulder injury and need anything from diagnosis, treatment to recovery, our skilled and experienced doctors at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder are ready to assist you. We have locations throughout Maryland. Our main office is in Lutherville, but we have satellite locations serving Bel Air, Clarksville, Eldersburg, Pasadena, and Westminster.
To know more about our comprehensive services, call us today at(410) 296-6232 or request an appointment online.
