Shoulder Pain

Causes:

Causes of shoulder pain vary from simple acts to terrible causes such as an injury due to an accident and so on. Following is a list of some of the many causes:

• Lifting something haphazardly
• Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
• Participating in sports
• Injury due to falling

With the growing age, gradual age-specific changes can be a common cause of shoulder pain. Such problems may include Osteomalacia– the softness of bones due to deficiency of vitamin D, and osteoporosis- bones become brittle and lose mass, cartilage breakage can be the reason.

Shoulder Pain Diagnosis

If you have shoulder pain, our doctor will examine you to rule out any structural problems with your spine or neck.

To determine how flexible and strong your shoulder is, we will test its range of motion. Your arms will have to be moved in a variety of ways, such as above your head, across your body, or behind you, as well as rotated 90 or 180 degrees.

For a closer look, your doctor may also recommend the following imaging tests:

• X-rays. Our doctor may use these to detect bone spurs, arthritis, or other causes of shoulder pain that are connected to the bone. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest an arthrogram, which uses dye to improve visibility.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An image of your shoulder is taken utilizing a powerful magnet and radio waves.
• Computed tomography (CT). From this angle, you can see a series of X-rays. These images can provide our doctor with a better perspective on how your shoulder is doing.
• (EMG). Nerve problems are detected by measuring electrical activity in your muscles.
• The goal of this procedure is to show our doctor high-definition imaging of your shoulder using a tiny fiber-optic camera. During the operation, your doctor will be able to treat the condition.

Treatment:

Treatment of shoulder pain includes ‘conservative’ treatment which is an approach to cure the problem without surgical instruments. These include:

• Physical therapy is the treatment of diseases including shoulder pain through physical methods such as massage, exercise, and heat treatment. It fixes problems for instance stiffness and weaknesses which are leading causes of shoulder pain. Physiotherapy also includes modifying and improving the habits concerned with sports, mundane life, and social activities to get the victim back to his normal life.
• Medications are to relieve the pain and lower inflammation, Nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory medications are helpful other drugs include aspirin, naproxen, brufen, and paracetamol. These will help to relieve pain on a short-term basis. But in case, you have other ailments like blood pressure, cardiac disorders, or kidney problems, you should consult with our physicians before taking any of these medicines. Medication is not a permanent and lifetime solution for your shoulder pain. If the problem persists, patients need to take their medication on another level.

If any of the above methods are not working, doctors may suggest interventional treatments such as joint injections and shoulder surgery.

• Joint injection- after medication, a joint injection or corticosteroid injection is applied. It can be done according to the instructions of the physician. It is important to note that every treatment has some side effects. It can be the best option for some people. While it may lead to serious complications in others.

In the case of a frozen shoulder, hydro dilatation is suggested. This is made up of saline and steroids in the joint. It is recommended in case of stiffness and pain in the shoulder due to scar tissue formation. Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a condition when there is pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint.

• frozen shoulder surgery– shoulder surgery includes shoulder arthroscopy or shoulder replacement can be considered the next step, especially if the pain is caused by injuries.

Exercise:

Rotator Cuff strengthening is very important for strong shoulder development. The shoulder is an extremely important joint as it provides us with 360 degrees of movement. We cannot even perform mundane household chores without strong joints. We can face difficulties in performing activities like driving, washing, hanging up clothes, and playing if we do not take proper care of our shoulders. The following exercises can help to maintain strong muscles:

• upper trapezii stretch
• Posterior stretching exercise
• Overhead stretch
• Child’s pose

Prevention of Shoulder Pain

Since you use your shoulders so often – both at work and play – it’s important to protect them.

• Your desk chair should provide adequate back support and encourage good posture if you work at it.
• Work out your legs and keep your back straight if you must lift heavy objects. You can use your legs for power while facing what you’re lifting.
• Use a ladder or stool when grabbing over your head something heavy.
• Ask your doctor how you can strengthen the muscles around your shoulder and keep them flexible with a conditioning program.

What to do if your shoulder hurts

You may not always be able to identify the cause of shoulder pain. Pain can originate in another part of your body, and then radiate to your shoulder. This can happen with certain neck conditions, such as arthritis and disc herniations.

As a rule, if you have pain in your shoulder or if you know you’ve been injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. In general, mild shoulder pain can be managed by making alterations to your activities, performing mild stretches, and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, you should see our shoulder pain doctor in NJ if the pain doesn’t go away.