The top five reasons for shoulder pain are often related to common injuries or conditions affecting the joint, muscles, or surrounding tissues. Here's a breakdown of these causes and how they can typically be treated:
1. Rotator Cuff Injuries
Cause: This can be due to tears, inflammation, or tendinitis in the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, often from overuse or injury.
Treatment:
Rest and Ice: Resting the shoulder and applying ice can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Manual therapy: Strengthening and stretching exercises to improve shoulder function and prevent further injury.
Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Cause: Characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often developing after an injury or immobilisation.
Treatment:
Physical Therapy: Range-of-motion exercises to stretch the shoulder joint and improve flexibility.
Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
Manipulation under Anaesthesia: In more severe cases, the shoulder may be manipulated to loosen the tightened tissues.
3. Shoulder Impingement
Cause: Occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are pinched during shoulder movement, often caused by repetitive overhead activities.
Treatment:
Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate the shoulder.
Manual therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve posture and shoulder mechanics.
Medications: NSAIDs to alleviate pain and inflammation.
4. Shoulder Arthritis
Cause: Degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint, either from osteoarthritis (wear and tear) or rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune).
Treatment:
Medications: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
Physical Therapy: Gentle exercises to maintain mobility and strengthen surrounding muscles.
Heat/Cold Therapy: To relieve stiffness and pain.
5. Bursitis
Cause: Inflammation of the bursa (small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints), often due to repetitive motion or prolonged pressure.
Treatment:
Rest and Ice: Resting the shoulder and applying ice to reduce inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory Medications: NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling.
Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections may help reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve shoulder function and prevent recurrence.
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