No one wants to live with shoulder pain, let alone get sidelined by it, and yet it’s a reality for millions of adults in the United States.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that is resistant to basic remedies or is starting to interfere with your day-to-day activities, you want to get it checked by an orthopedic doctor, as it most probably signifies an underlying injury or condition.
Shoulder pain can occur for various reasons, but the following are a few of the most common culprits. Yours could be due to any of these problems.
Rotator Cuff Tear
One of the most common injuries that affect the shoulder is a rotator cuff tear, which occurs when the group of four tendons and muscles that provide stability to the shoulder and allow for arm movement get stretched beyond their capacity.
A rotator cuff injury causes severe pain that originates from the upper part of your shoulder accompanied by any or some of the following:
- Weakness
- Tenderness
- Crepitus (popping sensation)
- Difficulty raising the arm.
A rotator cuff tear is either caused by an injury due to lifting heavy objects or engaging in activities that put tremendous amount of pressure on the rotator cuff; or degeneration due to aging.
Frozen Shoulder
Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue of your ball and socket joint thickens and tightens, thereby leaving less room for movement.
Common symptoms of frozen shoulder, aside from pain, are stiffness and decreased range of motion.
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not clearly understood, but experts point out that it is common among people who have diabetes or who have had their shoulder recently immobilized, either due to a fracture or surgery.
Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation is a type of injury in which your upper arm bone (humerus) slips out of the socket that’s part of your shoulder blade.
Symptoms of shoulder dislocation include severe pain, limited mobility, bruising, and deformity.
Shoulder dislocation is a FOOSH (fall onto an outstretched hand) injury, meaning it is caused by any abrupt force distributed to the upper extremity region after a person loses balances, falls, and uses their hand to protect themself when they hit the ground.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a blanket term for over a hundred conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation. When arthritis affects the shoulder, it causes the cartilage of the ball and/or socket areas of the joint to gradually deteriorate, resulting in the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
Factors that contribute to the development of shoulder arthritis include age, family history, sex, and previous joint injury.
Trusted Orthopedists in San Antonio, Texas
Don’t let shoulder pain be a fact of life. See one of our board-certified orthopedists here at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. They will carry out a thorough evaluation to get to the bottom of your symptoms and devise a treatment plan to get you feeling better and moving freely again.
Arrange a visit with one of our orthopedists today. Call us at (210) 692-7400 or send an appointment request form right here.
