Shoulder Pain
Shoulder joint is a connection between your torso and arm and thus is provided by a vast range of movement, which makes it more prone to injuries. Any disturbance in the intricate balance between the mobility and stability ratio of the shoulder can lead to pain.
Injuries to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, tendons, bursa and joints due to gym exercises, sports injuries, activities related to lifting weights etc can lead to shoulder pain. The pain area varies depending on the cause, pain can be constant or activity based.
Common Conditions
Shoulder Impingement
It is the compression of the tendons or bursa in between the shoulder complex leading to irritation and inflammation in the shoulder. Commonly causes pain while lifting the arm up.
Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen Shoulder is the tightness and thickening of the shoulder capsule leading to pain and restricted shoulder movement. Causes can be any old injury, immobility or sometimes are not known.
Rotator cuff tear and tendonitis
Rotator cuff is a group of muscles that support the shoulder joint. Overuse or injury to these muscles or tendons can lead to swelling, inflammation and pain is known as tendinitis. Tear of these muscles or tendons can lead to pain along with weakness of the shoulder girdle.
Osteoarthritis
Pain due to shoulder arthritis is less often but not uncommon. Erosion of the shoulder cartilage due to arthritic changes causes bones to rub against each other leading to pain.
Bursitis
Bursa are fluid filled sacs in the shoulder that provide cushioning in the joint. Inflammation of the bursa is known as bursitis, causing pain and discomfort in the shoulder joint.
Fracture and Dislocation
Fracture of the collar bone, upper arm bone or scapula leads to severe pain. Dislocations, where the joint is forced out of position, causes intense pain in the shoulder joint.
Nerve compression
Compression of the nerve in the neck or around shoulder region can cause pain radiating down to the arm or shoulder.
Postural issues or Lifestyle factors
Poor posture, such as slouching or hunching the shoulders, can lead to muscle imbalances and chronic shoulder pain. Lifestyle factors like lifting heavy backpacks, prolonged computer usage or awkward sleeping posture can also lead to shoulder pain.
Conditions
Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive Capsulitis or Frozen Shoulder is mainly characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The causative factor is usually unknown, sometimes the underlying cause can be an old injury or surgery. The condition commonly occurs in people with Diabetes or who have immobilized their arm for a long time.The condition hampers the activities of daily chores and sleep due to excruciating pain and limited movement, however the signs and symptoms vary in different phases of Frozen Shoulder.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Impingement is a common condition in which the tendons or ligaments are compressed in between the bones of the shoulder joint. Compression leads to the inflammation of the structures causing pain and restriction in shoulder mobility. Shoulder Impingement typically involves Rotator cuff tendons.
How to manage
Cold packs or Ice packs around the shoulder complex
Range of motion exercises in pain free range
Posture correction exercises and correction of the mechanics of the shoulder
Upper extremity strengthening should be started as advised by the therapist
It often takes Shoulder a long time to heal, the sooner the problem is addressed the faster is the recovery. Any kind of shoulder pain on the left side without any underlying cause can be due to cardiac condition, consult a physician without delay.
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