What are the symptoms of a shoulder injury?
Shoulder injuries and pain can range from mild discomfort and stiffness to severe pain and dysfunction. To determine if you need medical care for your shoulder, find out if you have any warning signs of a shoulder injury.
Shoulder injury symptoms include:
- Pain, tenderness, or swelling in or around your shoulder joint
- Stiffness and decreased range of motion
- Inability to raise your shoulder overhead
- Pain when lifting or rotating your shoulder
- Pain near your shoulder blade
- Popping or clicking in your shoulder
- Feeling that your shoulder will pop out or slide out of the socket
Based on the location of your pain, the team can determine which anatomical structures may be involved in your injury.
What conditions cause shoulder pain?
The most common causes of shoulder pain are trauma, repetitive overuse injuries, and straining your shoulders with overhead activities. Conditions that can cause shoulder pain include:
Tendinitis
Tendons attach your muscles to your bones. When the tendons are overused or rub frequently over the bones in your shoulder, they can break down and cause tender, aching pain.
Rotator cuff tears
Rotator cuff tears usually occur where your shoulder joint attaches to your shoulder blade. While trauma is the most common cause of rotator cuff tears, simple movements like pulling a door open can tear muscles in your rotator cuff.
Bursitis
Inside your shoulder joint are bursa, fluid-filled sacs that provide cushion to your shoulder joint. Inflammation, trauma, and overuse can put pressure on these bursa until they swell, causing pain and difficulty moving your shoulder.
Instability
Instability of the shoulder occurs when the ligaments that support your shoulder joint are overstretched or torn. This can make your shoulder pop, click, or feeling like it’s slipping out of place. Lifting and rotating your shoulder can also be difficult.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes a breakdown of the cartilage within your shoulder, leading to pain with movement, stiffness, and discomfort. Different types of arthritis can affect the shoulder, so proper diagnosis is essential to getting effective treatment.
By conducting a thorough exam, and any necessary imaging, the team diagnoses the cause of your shoulder pain.
How is shoulder pain treated?
Shoulder pain treatments vary, depending on your diagnosis. Treatment options include:
- Exercises and stretches
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Hot and cold therapy
- Soft tissue therapy
- Medications for inflammation and pain
- Joint and steroid injections
Learn about the personalized treatment options for shoulder pain by scheduling an appointment with the team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center online or by phone today.
