Shoulder pain could make it difficult for you to move freely, interfering with your daily tasks. Many factors could cause shoulder pain. However, the most common causes are osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears.
In this article, we’ll talk about how these conditions affect the shoulders and how you can treat them.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Age is a significant risk factor for this type of condition. An estimated 80% of people 55 years old and older have osteoarthritis.
The cartilage is a rubbery and flexible cushioning material that covers the ends of your bones. It helps reduce friction in the joints. The cartilage’s deterioration over time could result in osteoarthritis. Past shoulder injuries could initiate or speed up the degeneration process, leading to osteoarthritis in a few years.
Osteoarthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. It makes the back of the shoulder ache. Furthermore, it causes people to lose the ability to reach behind their backs. These symptoms develop and worsen over time and could result in chronic pain.
Osteoarthritis has no cure, however some treatments could help relieve pain. These include:
- Weight loss and maintenance
- Hot and cold compresses
- Shoulder joint replacement surgery
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
The rotator cuff connects your shoulder blade to the bone in the upper arm. It refers to the group of tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. An injury to this area could cause a dull aching in your shoulder.
Inflammation and irritation of the rotator cuff tendon could result in tendinitis, usually because of repetitive activities. People who play sports or participate in activities with repetitive motions are particularly at risk for rotator cuff problems.
Tendons become less flexible as you age, making you more prone to injury. In some instances, rotator cuff tendinitis can also be due to a sudden injury.
At-home remedies usually work for most cases of tendinitis. You could try the R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method to quicken your recovery and prevent further issues.
Do not hesitate to see a doctor if symptoms such as pain, tenderness, and swelling persist for more than a few days. Some treatments they could recommend are:
- Medications like pain relievers and corticosteroids
- Physical therapy
Another type of rotator cuff injury is bursitis. It occurs when bursae swell. These are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, muscles, and tendons around joints.
Both bursitis and tendonitis affect the front and side of the shoulder. Bursitis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the area. Infection also leads to fever, chills, redness, and warmth. Frequent repetitive activities put pressure on the bursae and cause bursitis. Other medical conditions can also increase the risk of bursitis.
Bursitis goes away on its own within a few weeks. Conservative measures such as resting, protecting, and icing the affected joint can help relieve discomfort. If these don’t work, your doctor might suggest the following options:
- Medications, such as antibiotics
- Pain injections
- Physical therapy
Rotator Cuff Tears
When tendons pull away from your arm bone, they can cause rotator cuff tears. The tears could be partial or complete. Falling on an outstretched arm, decreased blood flow, bone spurs, and overuse can cause a rotator cuff tear.
Rotator cuff tears could happen to anyone at any age. However, the risk increases as we get older, because tendons break down with age and use. Thus, the condition is more common amongst older adults. Other risk-inducing factors include smoking, poor posture, and a family history of the condition.
Intense shoulder pain could occur from sudden tears. The pain could worsen at night or when you rest your arm. Some people do not experience pain, but most have weakness in their shoulder and arm.
When you have rotator cuff tears, it is difficult to raise your arm and lift items above shoulder level. Popping sensations could also occur when you move your arm.
An untreated rotator cuff tear could result in chronic shoulder pain. Unlike shoulder conditions, rotator cuff tears do not get better on their own. Non-surgical treatments could help decrease pain and improve function. These treatments include:
- Physical therapy
- Use of an arm sling
- Steroid injections
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
However, non-surgical treatments do not always work. Your doctor could suggest surgery if your condition does not improve with these treatments or if you have a complete tear.
Treatment for Painful Shoulders in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Shoulder pain can have a variety of causes. These conditions usually go away on their own with proper care and rest. However, some shoulder pain may worsen over time. So, it’s best to consult a shoulder pain specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Here at Paul Meli Orthopedic Surgery, we offer the best orthopedic care for all your musculoskeletal needs.
To learn more about our services and to request an appointment, you can reach our friendly staff at (954) 324-7711. You can also request an appointment online.
We look forward to being part of your health journey!