SHOULDER PAIN
Shoulder pain is a common problem and there are many things that can cause shoulder pain.
With the right care, it will usually become better over time. In our community, shoulder pain is typical. Pain is more likely to result from an injury or accident in younger persons. However, as you get older, the rotator cuff tendon and shoulder joint naturally wear out. Over time, this could grow to be excruciatingly painful. The shoulder is a multi-part, highly dynamic structure in your body.Shoulder pain can have a variety of causes When something goes wrong with your shoulder, it hampers your ability to move freely and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. There are two joints:
The Glen-Humeral Joint : where your shoulder blade (scapula)and connects with your upper arm bone (the humerus)
Acromioclavicular joint : where your collarbone meets the top of your shoulder blade (clavicle).
Sports, hard labour, repeated movement, and even playing sports can all lead to shoulder injuries. There are some illnesses that might cause shoulder pain. These include conditions affecting the cervical spine (neck), as well as ailments of the heart, liver, or gallbladder.
CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN
Shoulder discomfort can be caused by a variety of diseases and situations. The rotator cuff tendinitis is the most common cause. Tendon swelling characterises this disorder. Impingement syndrome, in which the rotator cuff becomes trapped between the acromium (the region of the scapula that covers the ball) and humeral head, is another typical reason for shoulder pain (the ball portion of the humerus). Sometimes, an injury to another part of your body, generally the neck or biceps, causes shoulder pain. Referred pain is the term for this. Usually, moving your shoulder doesn’t make referred discomfort worse.
Other causes of shoulder pain include:
- Arthritis
- Cervical myelopathy
- Torn cartilage
- Torn rotator cuff
- Swollen bursa sacs or tendons
- Bone spurs (bony projections that develop along the edges of bones)
- Pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder
- Broken shoulder or arm bone
- Frozen shoulder
- Dislocated shoulder
- Injury due to overuse or repetitive use
- Spinal cord injury
- Heart attack
RISK ELEMENTS
The ailment known as shoulder impingement results in shoulder pain and a feeling of being pinched. Additionally, it may limit a person’s range of motion. Shoulder impingement can occur in anyone, but those at particular risk
It’s more prone to develop due to certain factors. The following are some typical risk factors for shoulder pain:
Overuse : Sports like baseball, swimming, tennis, and football that demand a lot of repeated arm and shoulder motion are more likely to cause shoulder impingement in participants.
Curved or hooked acromion : Some persons are more prone to developing shoulder impingement due to their inherent architecture. A person with a flat acromion often has a larger sub acromial space than someone with curved or hooked acromion bones.
Prominent coracoid : A tiny protrusion from the shoulder blade is called the coracoid. Some persons have pronounced coracoids, much as those who have curved or hooked acromions. These persons are more prone to subcoracoid impingement, a different, less frequent kind of shoulder impingement.
Shoulder instability : When the shoulder joint’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments are unable to keep it stable, discomfort results from shoulder instability. As a result, disorders including shoulder impingement and partial and complete dislocation are common in the shoulder.
Previous shoulder injuries : People who have sustained injuries to the shoulder joint, such as a torn labrum, may be at risk for developing shoulder impingement in the future.
Bone spurs : Bone spurs are outgrowths that might make the sub acromial area narrower and more constrictive. Tendons and other soft tissues have less room as a result, increasing the likelihood of impingement.
Poor posture : The way you sit when you read, work at a desk, drive, or cook can affect how your shoulders develop impingement. The area between the acromion and rotator cuff might become smaller when the shoulders are hunched or slumped.
Age : Shoulder impingement is most often seen in adults over the age of 50, although it can develop at any age.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Shoulders can develop for a number of reasons, most commonly from improper posture and movement. The good news is that shoulder issues can frequently be treated non-surgically. However, it’s still preferable to prevent the issue altogether. Here are a few methods for doing it.
Listen to your body : After any activity, if your shoulder starts to hurt, pay attention to it. See your doctor if the pain is severe and doesn’t go away. There’s no need to persevere. You might even make matters worse.
Stay in shape : Regular exercise and a nutritious diet will help you keep your body in good physical condition. It can keep you healthy and keep you from being hurt.
Exercise the right way : Prior to working out, warm up. If you haven’t participated in a sport or activity in a while, start out carefully. Learn the proper technique for lifting weights. Don’t lift excessively.
Watch out at work : Be careful not to suffer a shoulder injury at work.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP?
You should contact your doctor if you experience fever, inability to move your shoulder, lasting bruising, heat and tenderness around the joint, or pain that persists beyond a few weeks of home treatment. If your shoulder pain is sudden and not related to an injury, call for medical help immediately. It may be a sign of a heart attack. Other signs of a heart attack include:
- Trouble breathing
- Chest tightness
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating
- Pain in the neck or jaw
TREATMENT
Activity Changes :
The most common forms of treatment are rest, changing your routine, and physical therapy to strengthen and stretch your shoulders. To prevent shoulder pain, use common sense strategies like avoiding overexertion or overdoing activities in which you generally don’t engage.
Medications :
To treat pain and inflammation, your doctor might recommend medication. If medication is provided to treat pain, it should only be taken in accordance with instructions. Additionally, your doctor might recommend drugs like corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Strong anti-inflammatory medications known as corticosteroids can be taken orally or administered intravenously by your doctor to treat shoulder pain.
Surgery :
Some shoulder issues may require surgery to be resolved. But the vast majority of patients with shoulder discomfort will benefit from straightforward treatments including changing activities, resting, exercising, and taking medication. Exercise could not be beneficial for some shoulder issues, such as recurrent dislocations and some rotator cuff tears. In these circumstances, early surgical intervention might be advised.
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR SHOULDER PAIN
Physiotherapy focuses on improving mobility for those with shoulder pain conditions or problems. Additionally, it relieves pain, strengthens the muscles that support the joints, and improves the function of the injured joints. For maximal physical function, a physiotherapist will develop a personalised treatment plan to increase flexibility, coordination, and strength. Improving the mobility and reinstating the functionality of the injured joints is the major goal of physical therapy in the treatment of shoulder disorders. Physiotherapists are certified medical experts who
strengthen the joints that are damaged by using different treatments. Physiotherapy treatments that are frequently used for issues that are primarily related to shoulder pain include:
- Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation
- Soft and joint issue Mobilization
- Ultra Sound
- IFC( Interferential Current)
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Strengthening and stretching exercises
