Shoulder Pain

Shoulders are the most flexible joints in our body and have a broad range of motions. Therefore, shoulders conditions cause not only pain and discomfort but also restrict their movement.

What Causes Shoulder Pain

Generally, shoulder pain is not a sign of a serious problem. It lasts a few weeks and disappears on its own. However, in some cases, it may indicate complications such as:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is characterized by wearing down the cartilage between the bones that serves as a cushion and helps in free joint movement.

Rheumatoid arthritis: RA is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of the joints causing painful swelling and deformity.

Rotator cuff tendinitis: Also known as impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis is marked by inflammation in the tendons connecting bones and muscles in the shoulder causing pain, stiffness, and immobility.

Injury: Injury in the neck or biceps can cause shoulder pain.

Some more causes of shoulder pain include:

• Torn cartilage
• Torn rotator cuff
• Swollen bursa sacs or tendons
• Bone spurs
• A pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder
• Broken shoulder or arm bone
• Frozen shoulder
• Dislocated shoulder

How is the Cause of Shoulder Pain Diagnosed

For an accurate diagnosis of the cause, the doctor will go through the previous medical reports and conduct a thorough physical examination. He will look for inflammation, tenderness, abnormalities, or deformities. He will also evaluate the range of motions and joint stability and recommend tests such as.

• X-rays- To check if there are any injuries to the shoulder joint
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound- To examine the soft tissues and identify injuries to the ligaments and tendons around the joints of the shoulders
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: To get a detailed and accurate picture of the bones in the shoulder area
• Arthrogram: An arthrogram is a form of X-ray study, where a dye is injected into the joint for a better view of the muscles and tendons
• Arthroscopy: Arthroscope, an instrument with a fiber-optic camera, is used to look inside the joints. It can detect soft tissue injuries that are not during a physical examination. Apart from helping in finding the cause of shoulder pain, it also aids treatment.

When Should you Seek Medical Help

If you experience fever, shoulder immobility, bruising, heat, and tenderness around the joints or pain that lasts for over a few weeks, you should consult a doctor.

How is Shoulder Pain Treated

The treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the problem. Other than remedies such as resting, avoiding activities that trigger the pain, or applying compress, there are options such as:

Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce swelling. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can be injected or taken orally. NSAIDs available over-the-counter (For example, ibuprofen) are also useful in treating shoulder problems like arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Surgery
When conventional treatment options fail or the shoulder injury is severe, the doctor recommends surgery. Some types of shoulder disorders, like recurring dislocations and rotator cuff tears, may not benefit from exercises and necessitate surgery. The surgery can be performed using open or minimally invasive methods. Arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure that has been a popular choice among doctors and patients for shoulder surgeries.