When a single component of the shoulder is not working well, can result in pain and joint dysfunction. Injuries that affect the shoulder are common however, does not make them any less painful or uncomfortable. The shoulders are composed of several bones, muscles and tendons. The main function of the shoulder is to provide your hand & arm reach, with a wide range of movements.
Common Shoulder Injuries & Conditions
Majority of shoulder pain involves muscles, ligaments, cartilage and tendons. With athletes and skilled workers being particularly vulnerable to shoulder blade and joint pain mainly due to recurring and intense routines over time.
See common shoulder injuries and conditions as follows:
Tendonitis and Bursitis
These are inflammatory conditions that are responsible for the most common shoulder pain and shoulder stiffness. They can be the result of recurring movements, such as sport or serious and sudden injuries. This condition is more common in adults over the age of 40 because the tendons are age-related and are more prone to injury. The inflammation or irritation of the rotator cuff in the tendons causes shoulder pain.
Bursitis, on the other hand, occurs as a result of inflammation or irritation of the fluid-filled sac protecting the space between the tendons and bones.
Treatment
The most important things in the treatment of Tendonitis and bursitis include pain reduction and inflammation. Relaxation is recommended; hot and cold compression and splint are also recommended. If these treatments fail, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids injections, recommend physiotherapy and, in the most serious cases, surgery can be the best choice.
Arthritis
Inflammation in the joints can result in pain and stiffness also known as arthritis. There are two shoulder joints which can be affected by arthritis; one of this is the point between the collarbone and the tip of the shoulder blade. The second is where the upper arm bone fits into the shoulder blade. Arthritis can occur as a result of "wear-and-tear" (osteoarthritis), autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis), or before the injury - including bone fractures, rotator cuff tear or dislocation of the shoulder.
Treatments
Arthritis can be treated using the following methods:
- Resting of the shoulder
- Perform some forms of exercises and/or physiotherapy
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroid)
- Performing joint replacement surgery
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder occurs as a result of thickening and contraction of the capsule of the connective tissue that surrounds the shoulder resulting in stiffness and pain on the shoulder from restricted movement.
Causes
Frozen shoulder usually affects adults between the age of 40 to 60 and can occur as a result of diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease and heart disease. It can also occur after long-lasting immobilisation of the shoulders after the injury, which is why an essential part of the shoulder recovery is physical therapy.
Treatment
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy is the best way to treat a frozen shoulder that has been proved to be effective in 90 percent of cases. For people that do not experience relief within the period of between two to three years, surgery can be the best alternative.
Instability
When the head of the upper arm bone is partially forced out of the shoulder socket as a result of excessive use or injury and can result in shoulder instability. The sensation of an unstable joint can feel like a 'slipping' or 'catching' feeling in your shoulder and in worse cases the bone can come out from the socket completely that is referred to as a dislocation. Should this happen however, the ligaments, tendons and muscles around the shoulder immediately become loose or torn that as a result can cause an increased likelihood of a repeated dislocation going forward.
Treatments
The doctor must return the arm bone into the shoulder socket. Once treated, you will probably be given a sling for a few weeks. For recurrent dislocations, shoulder operation may be necessary.
Fracture
Fractures (broken bones) of the shoulder generally affect the clavicle (collarbone), the humerus (bone of the upper arm) and the scapula (known as the shoulder blade). They cause severe pain, swelling and bruising around your shoulders and may occur as a result of sudden injuries such as a fall or accidents from motorcycles.
Treatments
You will often have to put on a sling or "figure 8" strap for three to eight weeks. Surgery may be important in case it is not a "clean break". Plates, screws or wires may be required during the operation.
Shoulder Separation
There is a confusion between shoulder separation and shoulder dislocation with both being entirely different forms of injuries. Interruption of the connection between the shoulder blade and collarbone leads to shoulder separation. A shoulder separation occurs immediately after a fall onto the shoulder this is common in sports.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on how serious the separation is, but most still involve severe pain in the shoulder, swelling, bruising and sometimes deformation.
Treatment
The severity of the injury plays an important role in the treatment of shoulder separation. A shoulder separation is categorised by doctors into six levels. Depending on the degree of severity of separation, the treatment may range from rest, ice and a sling to surgical procedures.
Rotator Cuff Tear
The common cause of shoulder pain and disability in the elderly, is rotator cuff tear that can seriously hinder the performance of many daily activities, such as hair combing or dressing. This type of injury usually results from the wearing down of the tendon, which occurs slowly over time but can also occur as a result of sudden trauma.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms of rotator cuff tears include:
- Pain in the arm and shoulder
- Weakness and tenderness in the shoulder
- Restricted area of motion and pain, especially when lifting and lowering the arm
- A feeling of cracking or snapping during the movement of the shoulder
- Finding it very difficult to rest or sleep on the affected shoulder because of pain
Treatment
Most of the treatment options used for rotator cuff tears are usually very traditional: it is recommended to rest, sometimes in a sling, hot/cold application and anti-inflammatory drugs are also recommended. In the most serious cases, an operation is indispensable. Surgeons can do arthroscopic surgery or open a surgical repair.
Dislocations
Since the shoulder joint is mobile, dislocation of the socket can be very easy. The top of the upper arm bone (humerus) can partially or fully come out of the socket (glenoid). These can either be partial which is the movement of the bone out of the shoulder joint socket and returned on its own or total where the bone moves out completely from the joint socket and returned back to its normal position by an outside force
Causes & Symptoms
Shoulder dislocation occurs as a result of falls, car accidents and strong contact during sports. Those with a dislocated shoulder may feel swelling, stiffness, weakness, bruising, pain, instability and even muscle cramping.
Treatment
For the treatment of the dislocated shoulder, the doctor uses a procedure called a closed reduction to return the upper arm back to the socket. Pain relieving is almost immediate. Doctors generally recommend that after the treatment of the shoulders, the shoulder should be immobilised in a sling or other device for few weeks.