8 Common Shoulder Problems and How to Solve Them
October 20th, 2020
8 Common Shoulder Problems and How to Solve Them
Are you experiencing some horrible shoulder pain that won’t go away. This could be the sign of deeper shoulder problems. Check out this guide to learn more.
Shoulder problems can severely limit our ability to work and can make even the simplest tasks a pain. No one wants to feel restricted, but when it comes to shoulder pain, getting through your problems can feel impossible.
To make matters worse, knowing the exact reason for your shoulder pain can be just as challenging as getting rid of it. What are the different shoulder problems you can experience, and how can you fix them when they come?
Here are just a few of the most common issues that people have with their shoulders, and how to get yourself feeling better again.
1. Dislocation
When two bones become separated from each other at the joint, it’s referred to as a dislocation. Your arm is connected to your shoulder by a rotating joint, or pivot joint, to give it plenty of flexibility; unfortunately, that also makes it rather easy to pop out of place.
Having your shoulder dislocated makes it impossible to move your arm since there isn’t any stability between it and your shoulder blade. Dislocations can also result in torn muscles and ligaments if you aren’t careful.
If you dislocate your shoulder, you’ll need to see a doctor about getting it put back in place. They will be able to make sure that no further damage is done to your shoulder or the surrounding tissues.
2. Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is the area around the joint where muscles, tendons, and ligaments help to move the upper arm. This type of injury is common for those who do a lot of heavy lifting or who use repeated overhead motions. Construction workers and athletes are prime candidates for rotator cuff tears.
A tear can either be partial or complete, meaning that the muscles and tendons begin to tear apart from each other. This can result in severe shoulder and arm pain, difficulty moving the arm, and weakness when moving the shoulder.
Surgery can repair a tear, though there are physical therapy options as well for less intense tears. Your doctor or therapist will prescribe exercises and activities to help you regain control in your shoulder and repair damaged tissues.
3. Cartilage Tear
Cartilage is the rubbery padding in between and around the joints. They help to keep your bones from rubbing against each other and causing damage. Having the cartilage torn will result in soreness and discomfort in the shoulder.
Similarly to a muscle tear, cartilage tears can be treated either through surgery or physical therapy.
4. Frozen Shoulder
This condition is caused by a buildup of abnormal bands and tissues in the shoulder that makes it difficult or impossible to move your shoulder and upper arm. Not only will it seriously limit your mobility, but it can also cause serious pain if left untreated.
Physical therapy, exercises, and surgery can treat this condition; the removal of the excess tissues may be necessary in order to get back your full range of movement again.
5. Tendinitis
Your tendons are the cords that connect the muscles to bones and aid in movement. Tendinitis is caused by the tendons becoming inflamed, which can be the result of wear and tear or acute stress on the tendons.
There are four main tendons surrounding your rotator cuff, which are the most prone to tendinitis.
While tendinitis caused by age can’t be fixed, exercises and physical therapy can help with pain management and muscle control. Acute tendinitis, if treated carefully, can be reversed with the same treatments.
6. Arthritis
Arthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints, and can lead to pain and difficulty moving. While arthritis is normally associated with age, it can also be caused by extreme physical activity or repetitive movements over a long period of time.
It’s important to deal with arthritis in your shoulder right away, or it could lead to more serious injuries like rotator cuff tears and tendinitis. Physical therapy can work wonders for arthritic joints.
7. Fracture
Just like any other bone, the shoulder or upper arm joint can become fractured. A fracture is a break in the bone, either partial or complete, that will need to be set to heal over time.
A shoulder fracture can happen when either the collarbone, upper arm bone, or shoulder blade breaks. This can lead to bruising around the affected area, swelling, and pain.
If you suspect you may have broken a shoulder bone, you should talk to a doctor immediately to prevent further damage.
8. Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that sit between joints and act as a secondary cushion between bones. They prevent friction in the joints, as well as wear and tear caused by constant motion.
However, if you use your shoulders a lot due to work or exercise, these bursae can become inflamed, swollen, or infected. This can cause severe pain in the shoulder. and can limit your range of motion.
Limiting your usage of your shoulder along with physical therapy can help to get rid of the inflammation.
No More Shoulder Problems
Now that you know some of the different causes of shoulder pain, you are ready to get back to your normal life again. If your shoulder pain continues for more than a week or starts to get worse, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. They can help narrow down the cause of your pain and help you find the resources to get better!
Have you been struggling with back or shoulder pain and want help getting back to normal again?
Contact us for information regarding your shoulder problems today to start getting relief. For more helpful tips on pain management and relief, be sure to continue reading our blog!
