What is my shoulder pain?
Upper arm pain is a common complaint for those who use the arm and shoulder repetitively. Diagnosis and treatment of shoulder and neck pain are vital; one of the main reasons is so that the injury does not get worse.
Will the pain in the shoulder go away on its own?
Sometimes the answer is yes, though a correct diagnosis and treatment plan are of utmost importance.
Example: if a patient dislocates the shoulder and does not receive the correct care, the injury sometimes manifests into traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder and/or permanent damage can be done to the arteries and nerves of the arm resulting from the injury.
Dislocated Shoulder
Dislocated shoulder: is the most common dislocations often occurring after a fall. In Colorado we see this often from skiing, snowboarding, and a variety of other sports. The shoulder most often dislocates inferiorly (towards the foot) where there are numerous nerves and the blood supply to the arm is located.
Above: Pictures of anterior shoulder dislocation (most common dislocation)
demonstrating how damage is done to the nerves of the arm located below the shoulder.
Correct care is important so one does not get radiating pain, numbness and tingling down the arm, or cell death in the hand and forearm due to blood supply damage. An alternative to shoulder surgery is now available, through cold laser, physical therapy, and a specific exercise regiment set up for each patient.
Torn Rotator Cuff
Torn rotator cuff is often seen post injury, though not always. Sports injuries, auto accidents and repetitive trauma may lead to relentless shoulder pain.
A physician can properly and accurately diagnose a rotator cuff tear; yet if you are experiencing some or all of these following symptoms you may have a torn rotator cuff:
• Severe or sudden pain on the sides or top of the shoulder
• Limited motion in the shoulder
• Swelling of the shoulder
• Shoulder pain at night
• Weakness in the shoulder
• A clicking or popping sound when you move the shoulder
Rotator cuff tendons have a poor blood supply, thus they often do not heal quickly without therapy.
Pain and weakness in the shoulder are the 2 primary symptoms, and pain in the shoulder at night is often another key factor. Diagnosis is often made by a physical examination by your doctor.
What treatment is there for a rotator cuff tear? Is there an alternative to surgery for a rotator cuff injury?
Alternative treatment (rather than surgery) for rotator cuff injury is available and has over a 93% success rate in the clinic. First, a proper diagnosis is made, and then the proper therapies are scheduled for the patient. The treatment may include manipulation of the joint, cold laser therapy, ultrasound, massage, and specific exercises.
Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) occurs when the shoulder becomes stiff and scarred and range of motion is lost. The cause is sometimes from an old injury, but most of the time it is unknown. The capsule around the shoulder contracts (shrinks) and scar tissue forms resulting in frozen shoulder.
Above: Frozen Shoulder, the capsular ligaments full of scar tissue.
Is there treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen Shoulder)? No surgery
Relief for adhesive capsulitis usually results from manipulation of the joint to break up the scar tissue, cold laser therapy for increased blood supply, ultrasound to also help fragment the scar tissue and a specific exercise regiment instructed by your physician.
Do I really need treatment for my frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder treatment is better done earlier than later, due to the fact scar tissue keeps building in the joint and range of motion is lost over time without any care, osteoarthritis of the shoulder is another common outcome if left untreated.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is often cause by rotator cuff tears and people who often raise their arms over their heads (tennis, golf, throwing a baseball or football). The rotator cuff inflames and often pinches nerves causing pain to radiate to the upper arm and sometimes down the forearm.
Pain is often aggravated when trying to raise the arm above the head, the pain usually does not stop when the arm is placed back down by the side of the body.
Above: Shoulder impingement syndrome pain often seen in the areas of red.
Treatment without Surgery or the use of drugs is an option for those suffering from shoulder pain. Shoulder impingement exercises instructed by a physician, manipulation of the joint and laser therapy will regularly reduce the pain completely.
Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder Bursitis is when the bursa (fluid filled sac) becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress or post injury.
Upper arm pain is a common complaint for those who use there arm and shoulder repetitively.
