In most situations, soft tissue injuries to the shoulder will resolve on their own. A few weeks of relaxation is frequently enough to allow you to resume your prior activities. Depending on the type of Cumming shoulder condition, your doctor may also recommend that you perform physical therapy exercises to rehabilitate your arm’s muscles and tendons. In this manner, you can rebuild shoulder strength and avoid additional injuries. Treatment for more severe injuries, such as torn rotator cuffs or bone fractures, may be more extensive and need surgery and several weeks or months of recovery. Additionally, talk to your physician about what to expect after surgery.
Diagnosis of shoulder pain
A physical assessment is usually used to identify shoulder injuries. Your physician will inspect your range of motion and joint for swelling, deformity, and other anomalies. If you have had an accident, your specialist will most likely do an imaging test, like an x-ray or an MRI, PET, or CT scan, to acquire a clearer view of your shoulder and any injured bones and connective tissue. To gain an image of the connective tissue, your physician may utilize arthrography (an imaging examination that uses injected contrast dye). Your clinician may also employ arthroscopy (a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves inserting a camera through a small incision) to inspect the joint and perform minor repairs.
Common shoulder injuries
1. Rotator cuff
The rotator cuff is a muscle and tendon structure that holds the shoulder joint and bones together. You can lift your arm and reach over your head with the rotator cuff. Shoulder discomfort, weakness, stiffness, and soreness may occur if this shoulder region is damaged due to a sport, fall, or other trauma. Physiotherapy, RICE and anti-inflammatory medicines, corticosteroid or growth factor injections, and surgery like arthroscopy or rotator cuff repair are all options for treating rotator cuff issues.
2. Shoulder impingement
This injury is common in individuals who engage in repetitive and excessive arm movements over the head, such as pitching, swimming, and many overhead-work-related activities. Shoulder impingement happens when the shoulder muscles press on the acromion, the upper part of the shoulder blade. Also, if this injury is followed by shoulder inflammation, it is vital to get medical assistance immediately since this can lead to more damage. RICE, physiotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid or growth factor injections, and surgery, especially arthroscopy, are all used to address shoulder impingement.
3. Shoulder instability
Shoulder instability occurs when one of the shoulder joints is driven out of position, resulting in joint dislocation. Patients with shoulder instability may feel their shoulder slide out of place when they raise their arms, causing discomfort. Swelling, numbness, bruising, and weakness are other indicators. The dislocation may cause tendons and ligaments in the shoulder joint to rupture and cause nerve injury. Shoulder instability is addressed by repositioning the upper arm bone’s ball into the joint socket, which immediately relieves discomfort. Rehabilitation is frequently required, including bracing the shoulder in a sling. Furthermore, shoulder surgery can tighten and mend damaged or strained ligaments to hold the joint in place if physical therapy and bracing fail.
While impingement and rotator cuff tears are among the most frequent shoulder problems, discomfort in the shoulder can be caused by various disorders. Only a qualified orthopedic expert can correctly assess your issue and provide suitable therapy for your unique injury. Call Stephen Fisher, MD, to schedule your appointment today to determine which shoulder disorder procedure suits you.
