Shoulder pain can occur at any age, but is generally more common in young athletes who use the joint in excess, such as tennis players or gymnasts, for example, and in the elderly, due to natural joint wear.
This type of pain is usually caused by temporary inflammation of the shoulder structures and can therefore be relieved with the application of ice at the site, disappearing 3 to 5 days after its onset.
- However.
- In some cases.
- This pain can be very severe.
- Worsen over time or not decrease.
- So it is recommended to consult an orthopedic surgeon to identify if there is a serious problem and start appropriate treatment.
This problem is caused by inflammation of the bursa, a cushion-shaped structure that protects the tendons and muscles of the shoulder bones during movement. This inflammation is more common in people who perform repetitive activities in their arms, such as painting, swimming or training their arms in the gym. Learn more about what bursitis is and how to treat.
What you feel: Acute pain is common on the top or front of the shoulder, which worsens with the movement of the joint to comb or dress, for example.
How to treat: Ice should be applied to the site for 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. In addition, the joint should not be used in daily activities to relieve inflammation. If the pain does not improve after 2 or 3 days, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as it may be necessary to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as Diclofenac, or even start physiotherapy.
Tendinitis is a problem similar to bursitis, however, it causes inflammation of the shoulder tendons instead of bursa. In many cases, it can even occur with bursitis as its causes are also very similar and can affect both types of structure at the same time.
What you feel: This problem only causes pain in the front of your shoulder, especially when you move over the head line or stretch your arm forward.
How to treat: It is very important to have physiotherapy sessions to treat tendon inflammation. In addition, the application of cold compresses and the application of anti-inflammatory ointments also help relieve pain. Learn more about treating shoulder tendinitis.
Although more common in the elderly, this problem can also affect young adults, especially athletes who abuse the shoulder joint due to wear and tear.
What we feel: In addition to shoulder pain, joint swelling and difficulty moving the arm are common. Arthritis isn’t a temporary problem, so symptoms can get worse over time.
How to treat: Treatment should be guided by an orthopedist because it is usually necessary to use anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or nimesulide, to relieve pain. Physical therapy should also be used as it helps strengthen the joint and reduces inflammation by improving shoulder movement.
This problem, also called a frozen shoulder, is a chronic inflammation of the shoulder that makes joint movement very difficult. Adherent capsulitis is most common in women over the age of 40 who have their arms immobilized for more than 2 months.
What we feel: in addition to the pain, capsulitis causes an intense difficulty moving the arm, which appears gradually. Find out which signals help identify this problem.
How to treat: Physiotherapy sessions are recommended to mobilize the shoulder and relax the joint muscles. In the most severe cases, surgery may be required to identify and repair possible shoulder injuries. Learn more about treating adhesive capsulitis.
Although fractures are almost always easy to identify, they can also cause few symptoms besides shoulder pain, especially when they have not occurred completely or are very small. The most common is the appearance of broken collarbone or humerus due to falls or accidents.
What you feel: Fractures often cause very severe pain, swelling and purple spots on the skin. However, when they are very small, they can only cause a slight pain that increases over time and prevents the movement of the arm.
How to treat it: Go to the hospital immediately to identify the fracture site, correct the bone, and immobilize the arm the right way to facilitate healing. Meet first aid in case of fracture.
The diagnosis of shoulder pain should be made by the orthopedist, who during the consultation evaluates all the structures associated with the shoulder and the characteristics of pain, such as intensity, location, if stimulated by a specific movement and its frequency, for example. The orthopedist also sees if there is a limitation of movement, such as difficulty stretching the arm or lifting it above the head.
In addition, the patient should inform the doctor of lifestyle habits and when the pain began, as the pain may be related to repetitive movements, poor posture or swelling or inflammation of the joint due to sudden movements, for example.
To make your diagnosis easier, your doctor may recommend imaging tests, such as x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging, that help identify the cause and extent of the injury. The orthopedist may also indicate an arthroscopy, which is a diagnostic and treatment technique in which the joint is visualized and corrected through small holes in the skin. Know what shoulder arthroscopy is and how it’s done.