Do you have shoulder pain? (Shoulder Pain) Let's learn about the causes and treatments

Have you ever felt a sharp pain in your shoulder when you wake up in the morning? Or do you feel a sharp pain in your shoulder when you lift something heavy or lift your arm? This shoulder pain is a common problem for many people in our country. But it is not good to just ignore it as a physical ailment. Because our shoulder is a very complex and very important joint. So, let's talk about this in a little more detail today.

What kind of joint is the shoulder?

Simply put, our shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. It is what we call a 'ball-and-socket joint'. That is, a ball-like part of the upper arm bone (humerus) rests on a cup-like part of the shoulder blade ( scapula ) and rotates freely. The clavicle is attached to this joint.

Holding this entire system together, helping to lift, rotate, and pull the arm back is a collection of four muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff . In addition, there are ligaments that connect the bones together and a fluid-filled sac called a bursa that acts as a cushion for the joint. With so many parts working together, the shoulder is more susceptible to injury.

What are the main causes of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can come on suddenly, or it can develop gradually. There are many reasons for this. Let's break them down into a few categories.

1. Overuse Injuries

When we repeatedly perform the same movement, the soft tissues in the shoulder can become damaged. For example, painting the walls of the house, hoeing the garden, or playing sports such as swimming, tennis, or cricket.

• Bursitis: The fluid-filled sac (bursa) we talked about earlier becomes swollen and inflamed. The pain is most felt when the shoulder is moved.
• Rotator Cuff Tear: A tear in one or more of the tendons around the shoulder. These can wear down as you age. Symptoms may include pain that worsens at night when you sleep, difficulty lifting, and a popping sound when you move your shoulder .
• Impingement: A condition in which the rotator cuff tendon becomes trapped between the bones of the shoulder. This is common in people who have jobs that require them to raise their arms above their heads.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon.

2. Trauma or Falls

A car accident or fall can cause serious damage to the shoulder.

• Dislocation: The bone in the upper arm comes out of its socket, where it should be. This is very painful. It can cause weakness, swelling, and numbness in the shoulder.
• Joint Separation : This affects the Acromioclavicular (AC) joint, where the collarbone and shoulder blade meet. When the ligaments that hold this joint together are torn, such as from a fall, the collarbone can come up and look like a lump on the shoulder .
• Fracture : Most often, the clavicle or upper arm bone (humerus) can break.

3. Other medical conditions

• Arthritis:
• Osteoarthritis : A condition caused by wear and tear of the joints. The soft tissue called cartilage wears away and causes pain as the bones rub against each other.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: A problem with the body's immune system causes swelling and pain in the joints.
• Frozen Shoulder: This is also called a ' stuck shoulder '. Abnormal tissue (adhesions) forms inside the joint, limiting shoulder movement. This can happen when the shoulder is not used due to pain or after surgery.
• Bone spurs: Small, new growths on the bone called osteophytes can cause tendon pain.
• Referred Pain: This is very important. Sometimes, shoulder pain can be caused by a problem elsewhere in the body, rather than a problem in the shoulder. For example, gallbladder or liver disease.

How do you decide whether to see a doctor?

Some minor aches and pains can be relieved at home with a few days of rest and ice. However, be aware of the following symptoms.

How does the doctor diagnose the disease?

When you see a doctor, they will first examine your shoulder and move your arm in different directions. This will give you an idea of ​​your shoulder's range of motion and strength. Then, if necessary, they may order tests like these to further confirm the cause:

• X-rays: Check for bone fractures, dislocations, or extra bone spurs.
• MRI Scan:Get a very clear image of the soft tissues in the shoulder, such as tendons, muscles, and cartilage.
• CT Scan: Sees the condition of the bones more clearly than an X-ray.
• Arthroscopy: This is a minor surgery. A small camera is inserted into the joint and viewed on a screen. This can diagnose diseases and sometimes treat things like small tears.

Treatments and things you can do at home

The treatment method depends on the cause of your shoulder pain.

• Rest and simple treatments: Most of the time, the doctor will first advise resting the shoulder, applying ice, and taking painkillers to reduce swelling and pain.
• Wearing a sling: In cases such as a dislocated or fractured shoulder, after the joint is put back in its proper position, a sling may be used to keep it still until it heals.
• Physiotherapy: This is a very important part of treatment. Physical therapy exercises are essential to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, restore range of motion in the joint, and prevent re-injury. Do the exercises exactly as your doctor or physical therapist tells you.
• Steroid Injections: If the pain and swelling are severe , the doctor may decide to give a steroid injection into the joint.
• Surgery: Surgery may be required for severe rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder conditions, or severe fractures that do not heal with simple treatments.