Shoulder pain is pain that occurs in the shoulder area. It is a result of shoulder movement that may cause abnormal symptoms, such as playing sports, working that requires force, moving in the same position repeatedly, including injuries. In some cases, it may be caused by a disease that the patient already has, causing shoulder pain, such as diseases of the cervical spine, liver, and heart, etc.
Shoulder pain is common with age, and is most common in people over 60 years old, as the tissues around the shoulder can degenerate with age. Shoulder pain can usually be relieved with home care, but in some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three main bones: the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. These three bones are supported by cartilage and are divided into two parts: the glenohumeral joint, which connects the head of the humerus to the socket of the scapula, and the acromioclavicular joint, which connects the distal end of the clavicle to the scapula. Often called the shoulder joint, it is a multidirectional joint that allows the shoulder to move forward and backward, as well as in circles.
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain symptoms vary depending on the cause, the area of pain, and the physical condition of the patient. Patients with shoulder pain often experience these symptoms:
- Pain or stabbing pain in the shoulder area
- Feeling numb or weak
- Have frozen shoulder, difficult to move the shoulder area.
- The shape of the shoulder is abnormal, unable to move or lift the arm normally.
However, patients should see a doctor if they experience shoulder pain after an injury or accident, have difficulty moving their arm or shoulder, or if the pain in the shoulder does not improve within 2-3 weeks after self-care at home.
In addition, if the patient has acute shoulder pain that is not caused by an injury, it may be a sign of coronary artery disease . Symptoms may be observed from chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, excessive sweating, pain in the neck and jaw. In the case of shoulder injury, if there is swelling, shoulder deformity, numbness in the shoulder, bleeding or wounds in the shoulder, you should see a doctor immediately.
Causes of shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can be caused by many things, which can be divided into the following:
Common causes
Common causes of shoulder pain include:
- A torn rotator cuff is the most common cause, which can lead to inflammation of the tendon, causing pain in the shoulder area.
- Inflammation of the bursa around the joint can be caused by repetitive movement or even minor injuries, such as frozen shoulder, whichmakes it difficult for the patient to move the shoulder and causes shoulder pain.
- Tendonitis is a painful swelling of a muscle tendon that can be caused by repetitive movement of a muscle tendon over a long period of time.
- Shoulder dislocationis a condition in which the shoulder joint comes out of its socket, causing pain. It is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Arthritisis inflammation of the joints. It can be caused by many things, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome is an injury to the shoulder tendons caused by compression of the shoulder blades.
- Broken shoulder, collarbone, or arm
Other causes
In addition to the above disorders, shoulder pain may be caused by the following:
- Torn Cartilage Injuries
- Referral pain is the result of an injury to another part of the body, such as the neck or upper arm muscles.
- Ischemic heart disease is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Tumors, infections, or nerve disorders such as pinched nerves in the neck or shoulder, etc.
However, the causes of shoulder pain may vary depending on the age. In children or teenagers, it is often caused by accidental injuries. In young adults or working adults, it is mostly caused by heavy use of the shoulder joint, causing friction and inflammation of the tendons and muscles around the shoulder. As for shoulder pain in middle-aged and elderly people, it is often caused by degeneration due to long-term use of the shoulder joint.
Diagnosis of shoulder pain
The doctor will ask about your initial symptoms and medical history to diagnose the cause of shoulder pain, such as the location or area where the pain occurs, activities you did before the symptoms, the time when the pain started, the type of pain, the frequency and duration of the symptoms, and other symptoms that occur together.
In addition, the doctor may perform additional tests using various methods, including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and injection of contrast media into the shoulder joint (arthrogram) to help the doctor see a clearer picture of the abnormality in the shoulder area. Arthroscopy may also be used to diagnose the cause of shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain treatment
Treatment of shoulder pain depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Treatment methods can be divided as follows:
Self-care at home
In cases where the patient is experiencing initial symptoms, self-care at home may help improve the pain in the following ways:
- Applying a cold compress to the shoulder 3-4 times a day for 15-20 minutes each time for 2-3 days may help relieve the pain. Use an ice pack or wrap an ice cube in a towel before applying the compress, as applying ice directly to the skin can injure or burn the skin. Alternatively, apply heatwith a hot water bottle to the painful area to help relieve the pain. However, this method should be avoided if you suspect an infection in the shoulder joint.
- Rest the shoulder area for 2-3 days before returning to normal activities. Avoid movements that may cause pain or lifting heavy objects overhead.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or apply a topical ointment to relieve shoulder pain. Always consult your pharmacist before using any medication.
Drug treatment
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ) to relieve pain or inflammation, or corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs that come in oral or injectable forms.
Surgical treatment
If symptoms are severe or do not improve with other treatments, the doctor may use surgery. Patients must strictly follow the doctor’s orders for self-care after surgery.
Complications of shoulder pain
Since shoulder pain can be caused by many things, the exact complications cannot be determined. However, in general, shoulder pain can lead to chronic pain from frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons, and in severe cases, it can cause ischemic heart disease. Therefore, if there are any abnormal symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately, such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or dizziness.
Preventing shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can be prevented with self-care tips such as the following.
- Exercise appropriately and warm upbefore every exercise. If you haven’t exercised for a long time, don’t overdo it. Start gradually or start with light activities. If you have shoulder pain, you can use stretching exercises to prevent the pain from recurring.
- When sitting, you should sit with your back straight, stretch up, and not hunch your shoulders. You can use seat cushions, back pillows, and armrests while sitting, and adjust the chair to be suitable for your work.
- When standing, stand up straight, stretch your body and slightly drop your shoulders back. Do not stand with your shoulders hunched.
- While working, you should take a 2-3 minute break every hour to relax your muscles.
- If you need to reach for something high up, use a tool such as a chair or stepladder, or move the item you need to use closer to reach so it’s easy to reach.
