The shoulder has two joints that make them the most flexible part of the body. The shoulder joint is the most flexible joint and it makes the shoulder to move backwards and forward. The shoulder joint also lets your arm to move up, down, and move it in a circular motion. If anything happens to the shoulder, it disturbs your flexibility to move freely. It also causes great pain and discomfort.
Your shoulder can be injured due to various reasons, and can also be due to certain diseases as well. Though people of any age can experience shoulder pain, the chances increase as you get older. The reason is as you age, the soft tissues around the shoulder can degenerate.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
In many cases, shoulder pain will be mild and it goes off within a short time. But in certain cases, it can be due to some serious underlying problems. There are several causes and factors that cause shoulder pain.
The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis. It is caused by swollen tendons and it causes mild pain in the shoulder. The pain becomes worse when you move the arm away from the body.
Shoulder pain can also be caused by impingement syndrome where the rotator cuff gets struck between the acromium and humeral head. In certain cases, shoulder pain can also be a result of an injury in other areas of the body. This type of shoulder pain is known as referred pain and it does not get worse as you move your shoulder.
Apart from this, there are several other causes of shoulder pain such as:
- Arthritis
- Torn cartilage
- Osteoarthritis
- Muscle tensions
- Inflammation
- Broken arm
- Bursitis
- Cracked collarbone
- Sprains
- Frozen shoulder
- Dislocated shoulder
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Damage to the bones
- Shoulder injury due to repetitive or overuse of shoulder
- Injured spinal cord
- Heart attack
- Cartilage tear
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
As mentioned, shoulder pain is caused by various causes, and hence shows different symptoms based on the cause. The most common symptoms include:
- Severe pain in the shoulder joint, either in the back or front of the shoulder
- Pain while moving the shoulder and also less mobility
- Weakness in the arm or shoulder
- Tingling and burning pain that are associated with the neck nerves
- Difficulty in movement after a shoulder dislocation which is due to pain
If you are suffering from shoulder pain, seek medical assistance to determine the right treatment for you.
Diagnosis for Shoulder Pain
To treat your shoulder pain, your doctor will conduct a proper evaluation to determine the reason for your pain. Your doctor will ask you questions about pain, time of pain, severity, and other questions to know the main cause of your pain. A physical examination will also be conducted to determine the cause of the shoulder pain. Your doctor tries to identify swelling, muscle weakness, physical abnormalities and will look for tender areas. Your doctor will also check your motion and shoulder strength.
He may also conduct the following tests to know the exact reason for the pain:
- X-ray to show any pictures of the bone that cause shoulder pain
- MRI Scan to get clear images of soft tissues that can help your doctor to know any injuries to your ligaments
- CT scan to get a more clear image of bones in the shoulder region
- Arthrogram where a dye is injected to the shoulder to view the shoulder, tendons and its surrounding muscles
- Arthroscopy, which is a surgical procedure to know the soft tissues injuries that cannot be determined through physical examination
Treatment for Shoulder Pain
If the shoulder pain is minor, it can be treated through proper rest, and by changing the activities, Physical therapy also helps to improve the strength and flexibility of the shoulder. Avoid performing overdoing activities so that it can prevent shoulder pain.
If the pain is severe, your doctor may suggest medications to reduce inflammation and pain. You should use medication only as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may also prescribe injections to relieve your pain.
In some cases, your doctor would go for surgery to treat the shoulder problems. But most of the patients respond to normal treatment such as rest, medication, and physical therapy. Your doctor would perform surgery in case of shoulder issues such as shoulder dislocation, and rotator cuff tears.
Suffering from Shoulder Pain? Meet Dr Suhas Masilamani
If you have been suffering from shoulder pain for a long time, meet Dr Suhas, a well-known orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon in Hyderabad. He has 17 years of experience in treating different knee and shoulder issues. He carefully understands your condition and will suggest the right treatment for you. Do not delay and book your appointment right away to relieve your pain.