The shoulder is an important part of the human body that is in constant action which we are awake. The shoulder is one of the most used parts of the body and also the most used and stressed during workouts.
So minor shoulder problems and injuries are common. There are minor aches and pains, inflammations, and injuries resulting in fractures and dislocations.
There are sudden injuries that are of the following kinds
- Bruises also known as contusions that occur after a twist or a sudden fall. This causes blood to leak into tissues and results in a bluish or purplish colour and is known as a bruise. They are lightly painful.
- Sprains that cause injuries to the fibres (ligaments) that connect bones or by muscle pulls.
- Dislocations or subluxation caused by bones getting pushed out of the shoulder joint. These can happen during an accident, a fall or even a sudden push during a game.
- Injuries or damage to the tendons that connect muscle to bones and cover the shoulder joint. These injuries or damages can be caused by a sudden blow or a twist of the shoulder joint.
- Fractures of the shoulder blade (scapula) or the collarbone (Clavicle) can occur due to a heavy impact, often during accidents or during the act of bracing in order to reduce the impact of a fall.
There are overuse injuries to the shoulder region from overuse or repeated stress to the shoulder region. The injuries are of the following kinds
- A frozen shoulder occurs after an injury and limits the movement of the shoulder joint.
- Bursitis is a problem caused by inflammation of the liquid sac that protect and gives lubricity to the shoulder joints.
- Tendinitis is the inflammation of the muscle tendons that connect muscle to bone. This occurs along the bicipital groove which passes along the upper arm bone known as the humerous and connects above the shoulder joint.
- The impingement syndrome which is caused by repeated overarm movements usually by cricket bowlers and even tennis players that cause tendons to rub against the shoulder blade and cause pain due to the abrasions caused.
There are other symptoms and damages caused to the shoulder by any of the following reasons
- Deterioration of the cartilage layer that cushions the shoulder joints. This is known as osteoarthritis.
- Cancer originating from elsewhere in the body that has spread to the shoulder
- Infections in the skin, joints, bursa or bone. There are medically known as cellulitis, arthritis, septic bursitis and osteomyelitis respectively.
- Calcium build-up in tendons, causing stiffness and difficulty in movement
- Repeated shoulder bone dislocations not having any specific cause
Treatment of different types of shoulder injuries may be done by simple first aid, physiotherapies, specific treatment, and even surgery in extreme cases.
There are simple home remedies for aches, pains, and even mild inflammation. Home rest with an ice pack will help.
Dislocations and fractures are to be treated and the bones reset by an orthopedic surgeon. Thereafter a sling is fixed and the patient will need physiotherapy to gradually get their shoulders back in order.
There are simple countermeasures to reduce the impact of shoulder pain. These include chairs at the workplace with a proper backrest and providing a good posture. Another remedy in a desk job is to get up and move around or take a walk for a few minutes at least once every hour.
People with weak shoulders or shoulders prone to pain and inflammation should avoid reaching for something high above their heads and use a short ladder instead. When lifting something heavy, the recommendation is to bend the knees and let the knees take the maximum of the load while the back should be kept straight. This will reduce stress on an already weak shoulder.
There is common medication such as over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen but these should be avoided for nagging pain. It is better to see a doctor and identify the source of the pain and get it treated.
The advice of doctors and physiotherapists is to be sought for conditioning programs to strengthen shoulders and keep them flexible. Physiotherapists will also advise the kind of workouts to do in order to avoid excess stress on shoulders.
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