Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
- Posted on: Apr 15 2020
Shoulder pain can leave you hurting or even unable to do a number of basic things, including combing your hair and driving. We use our shoulders a lot more than you may realize, which is why pain in this area of the body can be so debilitating. If you understand some of the common causes of shoulder pain, though, you’ll be able to avoid hurting yourself. Here are some of these causes.
A Rotator Cuff Tear
When one of the tendons in the rotator cuff is torn, it can cause pain. Often, this pain occurs at night when you’re trying to sleep, and it can make it difficult to rest. If you lift your arm up over your head and it hurts, it’s a good sign you’re dealing with a rotator cuff tear. This tear may have been caused by a fall or other accident. It can also be caused by repetitive motions. Normally, some rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication will heal the tear, but you may also need corticosteroid injections or, in extreme cases, surgery.
Other Rotator Cuff Damages
While a tear is very common, there are other injuries that can affect the rotator cuff. Tendonitis, for example, is quite common. Straining the rotator cuff is also fairly simple to do, especially if you’re lifting heavy objects up above your head or play sports that require you to use your shoulder a lot, such as tennis. Tendonitis and bursitis, which is similar, can also usually be healed by simply resting the shoulder and using ice. Generally, these conditions clear up within a couple of weeks. If they don’t, however, it’s time to see a doctor.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs as the cartilage in the shoulder starts to break down. This makes it more difficult for the shoulder to move, making it stiff and painful to do certain activities. If you have osteoarthritis in your shoulder, you may find it becomes harder and harder to reach your hand up and behind your head and back. Something as simple as putting on a belt may become very difficult because you can’t guide it through all of the loops in your pants. For some people, osteoarthritis comes on gradually over the years. For others, an injury to the shoulder starts the process. Either way, you will usually treat it with ice and anti-inflammatory medication, but advanced osteoarthritis may require joint replacement surgery.
Let Us Help
The experts here at Maximum Orthopedics have years of experience managing shoulder pain. We can help determine the cause of your pain and work with you to treat it. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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