6 Common Shoulder Pain Causes
#1 Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries happen when there’s strain, inflammation, or tears in the groups of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder, caused by either repetitive overhead movements, aging, or trauma.
You might be suffering from a rotator cuff injury if you are feeling a dull ache deep in the shoulder, weakness when lifting your arm, and pain at night that makes certain positions difficult.
For diagnosing this issue, your orthopedic surgeon will perform a physical exam and order some imaging tests like MRIs or ultrasounds if deemed necessary. After that and depending on the severity of the problem, you will heal through rest, physical therapy, injections, or surgery.
#2 Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, happens when there is a progressive stiffening and thickening of the shoulder capsule, due to a significant trauma or invasive surgery that did not heal properly.
Patients usually notice a gradual loss of motion, severe stiffness, and aching pain.
Your doctor will perform some range-of-motion tests and perhaps order an MRI to rule out other issues. Most frozen shoulder cases get solved through physical therapy or corticosteroid injections, but severe capsulitis could require surgical release.
#3 Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome happens when soft shoulder tissue like tendons or bursa are compressed or pinched between the acromion (the top of the shoulder bone) and the head of the upper arm bone (humerus).
Patients tend to have a history of repetitive overhead activity and poor posture, and suffer from sharp pain when lifting the arm and difficulty with certain movements, like reaching behind the back.
Your doctor will need a clinical exam and either X-rays or an MRI to diagnose this syndrome, and could order anti-inflammatory meds, physical therapy, or even arthroscopic surgery, depending on the case.
#4 Tendonitis and Bursitis
While these conditions affect different parts of your shoulder, they create a similar discomfort. Tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the tendons, while bursitis affects the bursa. They often appear because of overuse, repetitive motions through the years, injuries, or underlying structural issues.
If this is your case, you might be noticing swelling, tenderness, and pain during activity, especially reaching or lifting. These conditions are diagnosed through a physical exam, ultrasounds, and/or MRIs; and treatment includes rest, ice, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and orthopedic injections.
#5 Labral Tears
When the cartilage rim around the shoulder socket, also known as labrum, gets damaged, you get a labral tear.
This might happen because of trauma, repetitive motions while playing throwing sports, and/or dislocation; and causes deep shoulder pain, locking sensations, and instability. Your orthopedic surgeon will probably order an MRI with contrast to confirm and locate the tear and then treat you with physical therapy or arthroscopic surgery if needed.
#6 Shoulder Osteoarthritis
After years of joint cartilage degeneration, age-related wear and tear, or post-traumatic arthritis, patients can develop osteoarthritis and experience pain that worsens with activity, stiffness, creaking or grinding sounds, and movement difficulties.
Your doctor can diagnose this condition through X-rays and, depending on its severity, order care through medications, injections, physical therapy, or even joint replacement in severe cases.
Diagnose Your Shoulder Pain with Arch Orthopedic & Spine
Diagnosing your shoulder pain is the first step for achieving recovery that brings back movement and comfort to your life. Besides the possible causes listed above, you could also be experiencing consequences of a shoulder dislocation, instability, or referred pain from a neck or heart-related issue, which is why it is essential to visit a specialist.
At Arch Orthopedic & Spine, we are committed to giving you comprehensive treatment that delivers positive results. We will make sure not only to address pain and immobilize the damaged area, but also give you the best tips for healing and taking care of your cast. Call any of our Georgia locations or use our online scheduling tool.
Welcome to Arch Orthopedic & Spine, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
