The shoulder- Most flexible joint in your body, and it gets involved in number of activities daily. It’s easy to see why shoulder pain is something you’d want to get to the bottom of right away.
Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain could be due to various reasons, like osteoarthritis, muscle tears, tendonitis, and several other causes. Apart from that, there are number of possibilities owed to the anatomy involved in allowing your shoulder to do what it does. Shoulder pain, also known as deltoid pain, is a common problem. For better understanding, let’s explore the possibilities of the shoulder hurts.
Outside of the Shoulder
Rotator cuff problem is the most common cause of pain over the outside of the shoulder.
There are four rotator cuff muscles that primarily help moving the shoulder. Though they are not involved in lifting heavy objects, but they are critical to moving the shoulder. There occur mainly 3 types of rotator cuff problems: Tendonitis, Bursitis and Rotator cuff tear.
In terms of Symptoms, activities such as catching or throwing are usually painful. Also, the deep aching shoulder pain from a rotator cuff problem tends to be worse or flare at night.
In terms of Mobility, in typical of a rotator cuff problem, range of motion gets limited.
Frozen Shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, a condition that leads to stiffness of the joint or sometimes constant pain, or just discomfort.
Calcific Tendonitis: It describes a condition where the calcium crystals are deposited within a tendon which is most common within the rotator cuff tendons. This condition gets typically worst at night and with overhead motions, like putting on a shirt.
Front of the Shoulder
The front shoulder pain is most commonly related to the biceps tendon—which attaches deep inside the shoulder.
Bicep Tendonitis: Bicep tendonitis usually develop gradual pain at the front of the shoulder that moves down over the biceps muscle. The pain gets worsen with repetitive heavy activities.
Bicep Tendon Rupture: A bicep tendon rupture may occur when muscle breaks free near the joint. The symptoms include a sudden “pop” with an acute worsening of pain. Also, there is bruising & swelling, forming a lump a above the antecubital fossa (your elbow pit).
Shoulder Osteoarthritis: With shoulder osteoarthritis, a person often suffers a deep shoulder pain with rigid stiffness, and there is loss of both active and passive range of motion.
Top of Shoulder
The most common cause of pain in the top of the shoulder is an abnormal acromioclavicular joint (AC) joint. AC Arthritis: Shoulder arthritis, though less common, when severe may require a joint replacement surgery as it causes bone spurs and rough cartilage that limits mobility, wearing away of smooth cartilage.
All Over the Shoulder
Shoulder Instability: Instability- caused by a traumatic injury (dislocation) or from overuse. Shoulders that feel unstable may feel as though they will pop out of joint.
Shoulder Dislocation: An injury that occurs when the top of the arm bone becomes disconnected from the scapula.
When to See a Doctor
When you aren’t sure of type of pain, or if you are confused about the treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek medical attention.
Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include:
- Inability to carry objects or use the arm
- An injury that causes deformity of the joint
- Shoulder pain that occurs at night or while resting
- Shoulder pain that persists beyond a few days
- Inability to raise the arm
- Swelling or significant bruising around the joint or arm
- Signs of an infection, including fever, skin redness and warmth
- Any other unusual symptoms associated with the shoulder pain like abdominal pain or trouble breathing
Having a stiff or frozen shoulder which has impacted your workstyle and lifestyle or suffering from shoulder dislocation. Don’t get confused because you can get the best solution, so you should seek advice and consultation from best Shoulder Replacement Surgeon Dr. Abhishek Mishra. Right diagnosis and treatment are needed for making you relieve from your shoulder pain. Dr. Abhishek Mishra treats many problems of musculoskeletal systems right from diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of the disorder.