Types of pain | Shoulder pain
Definition of shoulder pain:
Shoulder pain can be caused by many different reasons. It is a common problem for many people. It can range from mild to severe, though most people suffer from only minor shoulder pain.
How can I treat shoulder pain?
Treatment helps relieve pain and restore function to your shoulder.
-Try to rest your shoulder. You should move, but avoid lifting or playing tennis.
-Using hot and cold packs can help relieve shoulder pain.
-Stretch the tendons and muscles.
-Use anti-inflammatory medications.
-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen can reduce inflammation which will reduce pain.
-Cortisone injections can also help reduce inflammation.
-Avoid reaching overhead.
When to call the doctor:
Call your doctor if you can no longer carry an object with that arm or use that arm in any way
If your joint becomes deformed
If you experience pain that lasts more than a few days
Your pain lasts while resting the arm or while sleeping
You are not able to raise arm
Bruising or swelling around the shoulder
Fever, warmth or redness around the joint
You experience any unusual symptoms not listed
Treatment for shoulder pain:
Treatment for should pain involves rest and physical therapy in between activity. This will help increase strength and flexibility in the shoulder. Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling and pain. If your doctor prescribes a medication, use only as directed.
Treatment
Over 90% of those with should pain will heal with rest, medications, and exercise. Surgery may be needed for the other 10%. Tears on the rotator cuff or chronic dislocations may need surgery.
How to tell if the rotator cuff is injured:
Rotator cuff injuries will result in pain on the outside or the front of the shoulder. The pain becomes worse when raising the arm or lifting an object over your head. The pain can be severe and can occur at night while resting.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and the tendons connected to the muscles that allow the glenoid and humerus to move. The muscles are called the infraspinatous, subscapularis, supraspinatous, and teres minor.