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Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can affect all age groups. The reasons for the shoulder pain can range from injury, infection, instability to arthritis. Shoulder is a joint with vast range of movement. This increased mobility comes with a price of the joint being prone to instability and injuries. 

 

Symptoms

Shoulder pain can occur with movement in particular direction or with lifting objects in a particular angle. It can also hurt during rest. The area of pain is also an important characteristic which helps in understanding which structure of the shoulder has been affected.

Swelling. Swelling indicates that the shoulder is irritated. This can be due to mechanical causes such as rubbing, inflammation due to wear and tear or injury to the internal structures.

Stiffness. Stiffness can be due to swelling or muscle tightness. If stiffness is not allowing to lift the arm up, it means that something is mechanically blocking the free movements of the shoulder.

Instability. Instability occurs due to the labrum or lip of the socket being torn or stretches. This can be either in the form of subluxation where the joint is a bit loose or frank dislocation, where the joint is out of place and needs to be physically reduced back into place. 

 

Conditions

Injuries

 

Wear & Tear

  • Biceps tendinopathy

  • Subacromial Bursitis

  • Shoulder impingement

  • Loose body

 

Infection

  • Septic Arthritis

  • Infective Bursitis

 

Inflammation

 

Arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis

 

When to see a Doctor

  • Unable to move the shoulder full range

  • Redness and /or swelling of the shoulder

  • Persistent pain

 

Prevention of shoulder pain

  • Weight management

  • Maintaining flexibility and elasticity of the muscles

  • Regular exercises and stretches

  • Avoid prolonged sitting in same posture

  • Avoid drooping of the shoulders

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