Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be a result of many factors & conditions. The following are some of the factors that cause shoulder pain. Apart from these, shoulder pain Amy also be caused by injury to another location in the body like the neck or biceps. This is known as referred pain.

Dislocation
When the shoulder is pulled back too hard or rotated too far, the top the arm pops out of its socket leading to severe pain & weakness in the shoulder.

Separation
This involves injury to the joint, known as acromioclavicular joint, where collarbone & shoulder blade come together.

Fracture
Broken collarbone & humerus can lead to severe pain & bruising. Broken collarbone can make the shoulder sag & cause pain & difficulty in lifting the arm

Torn Cartilage
When the same motion is repeated over & over, the cartilage is likely to get injured. This can also happen during a fall. This time of injury can cause severe pain that can radiate upto the head. It also may causes locking or grinding sensation

Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator cuff refers to a group of muscles & tendons in the shoulder that hold the arm in place & help in lifting the arm overhead. Rotator cuff injuries occur either due to overuse, a fall or due to wear & tear.

Frozen Shoulder
This involves build up of adhesions (abnormal bands of tissue) in the shoulder joint which restrict movement of the shoulder. This too can cause pain in the joint. Dr DN Reddy is the best doctor for frozen shoulder. He is highly skilled, experienced and has successfully treated patients with frozen shoulder.

Impingement
When the tendons of the rotator cuff get pinched in the bones of the shoulder, it is known as impingement. This can cause severe pain & swelling.

Bursitis
Bursa is a fluid filled sac in the joint that acts as a cushion. Bursitis is a condition that leads to swollen bursae. This often occurs due to repeated motions or an injury.

Tendinitis
This occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff get swollen.

Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis & can affect any joint in the body including the shoulders. It can cause severe pain & stiffness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
This causes body’s immune system to attack the protective lining in the joints.
This condition also leads to severe pain, swelling & stiffness in the shoulder joint.

The orthopedic surgeon will first perform a physical exam to check for any structural issues & to rule out problems that involve the spine or neck. After this, the doctor will check the range of motion to see the flexibility of the shoulder.

He or she may also recommend tests such as:

• X Ray
• MRI
• CT Scan
• Electromyography
• Arthroscopy

Treatment for shoulder pain depends on various factors including:

• Patient’s age
• Patient’s overall health condition & medical history
• Severity of the condition

In mild cases doctors often recommend getting rest & physiotherapy. When the patient experiences severe pain, the doctor may prescribe pain medications including non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.

Most shoulder problems improve without the need for surgery. However, in some cases, the patient may be recommended a surgery. With the latest advancements, there are minimally invasive techniques available to repair rotator cuff injuries & frozen shoulder.

Our doctors at Elite Orthopedics are the best orthopedic surgeons, with over 20 years of experience in successfully treating all shoulder problems.