Understanding Shoulder Pain
Understanding Shoulder Pain
These structures may have an underlaying disease which can be mild to debilitating in nature. Traumatic causes: bone fractures, joint damage and tendon tears; Non-traumatic causes: tendinitis, bursitis, impingement, arthritis.
Important structures in the mobile shoulder joint
The joint capsule is a sac-like structure with relative laxity which encloses the joint, protecting intrinsic and deeply located structures and allowing wide mobility.
Types of shoulder pain
Pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is the sudden onset of pain mostly resulting from trauma. Chronic pain is a longstanding condition often due to impingement or a neglected injury.
Conditions
Acute
Tendon tears
Bone fractures
Acromioclavicular
Subacute
Effusion
Bursitis
A hypermobile and unstable joint
Chronic
Tendinitis
(acute or chronic)
Osteoarthritis
Impingement
Bone spurs
(bony projections)
Interlinked shoulder conditions
Diagnosis
X-rays
Ultrasound
Arthrogram
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Treatment
As prescribed by your doctor: Oral anti-inflammatory medication or antibiotics in the case of an infection.
Physical therapy by means of stretching and strengthening of shoulder structures. Ultrasound therapy, heat therapy or massage techniques may also be used.
In the case of persistent symptoms your doctor may consider a corticosteroid injection.
Surgery: for drainage of bursitis, repairing of tendon tears or shoulder replacements in more severe cases. This is usually prompted by a degenerative arthritic joint.
Where to start?
An appointment to your general practitioner. Your GP may prescribe medication or send you for an X-ray and/or ultrasound to identify the problem. Thereafter, you may be referred to a physiotherapist or surgeon depending on the degree of injury.
Visiting a physiotherapist may also be of benefit for conservative treatment. The physiotherapist will refer you for an X-ray and/or ultrasound if therapy appears ineffective or if a more focused approach is required.