12 Shoulder Pain Types & Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Shoulders are made to move; they have a wide range of motion. However, if you experience any problem, it will affect your ability to move and cause pain. Depending on the condition, you might need treatment for shoulder pain or maybe surgery.

Now, let\’s not panic. There are several alternatives to shoulder surgery, and we will look into the treatments for shoulder pain in a bit. 

 

View the Top 12 Common Shoulder Problems

• Separation

The shoulder separates when the shoulder blade breaks free from the collar. This separation is known as the acromioclavicular joint. Separation occurs when you fall and the ligaments (responsible for holding the joint together) tears. If you notice a bump on the top shoulder, your shoulder joint has probably separated.

• Shoulder Dislocation

A dislocation occurs when you rotate the shoulder too much. The arm pops out of its secure pocket, which leads to severe pain and weakness in some. Some other symptoms which require medical attention are; swelling, bruising and numbness

• Fracture

Fractures are common and most ERs are filled with people looking for treatment for shoulder pain caused by fractures. Fractures occur when you hit the bone. Usually, the collarbone or upper bone breaks. Yes, they are painful, and treatment for shoulder pain varies depending on the severity of the fracture

• Cartilage Tear

Cartilage tears happen when the cartilage or the rubber padding moves and goes to the edge of the shoulder. Let\’s say you kept moving your arm in the same movement vigorously for a long. It could result in cartilage tears. Common symptoms are a pain when you try to raise your arm above the head. Treatment for shoulder pain resulting from tears are different from fractures, and we will see that below.

• Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff will hold the arm in its position. The rotator cuff allows you to live and move your arm. Any tear in the rotator cuff will damage it. It is only natural for the rotator cuffs to wear off with age. Some common symptoms include intense shoulder pain at night, inability to lift things.

 

• Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis or commonly called frozen shoulder, is categorised by stiffness and intense pain in the shoulder joints. When you have a frozen shoulder, you won\’t move your arm freely. Frozen shoulder is a result of tissue inflammation surrounding the shoulders and the treatment for shoulder pain resulting from frozen shoulder requires surgery.

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It can happen in any joint, and this includes the shoulders as well. The breaking and rubbing of the cartilage between the bones results in this condition, causing excessive stiffness and pain

• Referred Pain

Sometimes the problem is not on your shoulders. Referred pain when there is some issue with other parts or organs of your body. Maybe it sits on the liver, bladder or anything else. If the common treatments for shoulder pain fail here, please seek medical attention as it could be something dangerous.

• Shoulder Impingement

This condition occurs when the top part of your shoulder blade puts intense pressure on any soft tissue beneath it. The acromion rubs/impinges the rotator cuff tendons when you lift your arm. 

• Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a condition characterised when the rotator cuff inflames. You should know that this condition does not happen overnight.

• Instability

Instability happens when the head of bone in the upper arm is pushed out of the socket in the shoulder. It happens due to sudden injuries or probably from overuse of the shoulders. The condition can be partial when the ball of the upper arm bone is slightly out of proportion. A complete instability is when the balls are out of the socket completely.

• Bursitis

When small sacs filled with fluids appear on the joints all over the body, it causes a problem called bursae. When this happens, these fluid-filled sacs perform as soft pillows between the bone and its overlying soft tissues, leading to a reduction in friction between the two. That\’s why shoulder pain should not be ignored.

Different Treatments for Shoulder Pain

The treatment solely depends on what the diagnosis is. There are different options for shoulder pain treatments alternatives to shoulder surgery. For example, occupational therapy etc. 

During the initial visit to your pain management doctors, they will discuss the treatment for shoulder pain and alternative to shoulder surgery with you if there is any. They may also prescribe NSAIDs and corticosteroids, which are powerful drugs that are mostly injected directly into the shoulder.

However, if the doctor finds there is no alternative to shoulder surgery and you need one, then there\’s no way out. Some after-care instructions are as follows;

• Use a cold pack to reduce the pain twice daily
• Rest as much as you can
• Avoid unnecessary shoulder movements that might cause pain
• Take pain killers prescribed by your doctor on time

Orthocure is your ultimate destination for all types of pain relief. We offer a range of treatments for shoulder pain, back pain and precisely, any chronic pain. Our health care professionals have the expertise to treat your chronic pain. Visit our clinic now or call us now to discuss your treatment for shoulder pain.

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