Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can occur despite complete well-being and indicates pathology.

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Causes of Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint has a unique structure and, unlike other articular joints of the human body, has a large functional load. High levels of physical activity, poor posture and work routine often lead to inflammation of the joint capsule, which leads to dysfunction of the joint. The pathology is complicated by local edema, effusion in the joint capsule, damage to muscles and tendon joints and is accompanied by pain of various natures.

Shoulder pain may:

• spread along the entire length of the arm and cause numbness in the arm or loss of sensitivity (with an intervertebral hernia in the cervical spine);
• accompanied by limited movement (capsulitis);
• be when moving and raising the arm (rotator cuff injury);
• be sharp and strong in the area of the joint, with a violation or limitation of motor activity (with dislocations and fractures), etc.

In any case, pain is a pathological sign and indicates damage to the shoulder joint. If the cause of the pain syndrome is not diagnosed in time, it will be very difficult to restore the mobility of the shoulder joint.

The causes of shoulder pain may have different etiologies. But there are main reasons that explain the mechanism of pain syndrome. Shoulder pain has different characteristics of intensity and frequency.

1. Shoulder pain can be triggered by heavy physical activity and is characterized by inflammation and irritation of the muscle tendons (tendinitis).
2. The cause of shoulder pain may be physical trauma - bruise, sprain, ligament rupture. It also occurs after excessive physical exertion, carelessness.
3. Intercostal neuralgia is a serious disease, accompanied by stabbing frequent pain, arm movement is limited, breathing may be difficult. The cause is post-traumatic pinching of nerves, intervertebral hernia, etc.
4. Hypothermia leading to myositis (muscle inflammation).
5. The cause of sharp, sudden pain can be infections, tumors, injuries leading to neuritis (inflammation of the nerves).

To identify the causes of shoulder pain and understand what pathology led to it, you need to:

• clearly identify the symptoms and health status;
• Be sure to consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis;
• If the pain syndrome is mild and intermittent, you can get by with symptomatic drug treatment and avoid visiting a clinic.

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How does shoulder pain manifest itself?

Symptoms of shoulder pain, or more precisely the intensity and frequency, the nature of the pain will help to establish the approximate specificity of the disease.

Pain in the shoulder joint can indicate a number of diseases. This can be observed with:

• Tendinitis is an inflammatory process of the periarticular tendons. The pain is sharp, intensifies during movement and palpation;
• Bursitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule. The pain is chronic, of moderate intensity, but increases when the arm is moved to the side;
• Periarthritis is a severe inflammation of the shoulder joint. The pain radiates to the arm and neck, intensifies with movement, is burning, aching in nature, and intensifies at night. The sensitivity of the shoulder is impaired and atrophy of the adjacent muscles develops;
• Arthrosis and arthritis – sharp pain, sometimes aching, limited movement, stiffness;
• Myocardial infarction and angina, pneumonia, liver pathology, chest tumors, cervical radiculitis. In such diseases, the pain is regular and of varying intensity, and is reflected in the shoulder;
• When calcium salts are deposited. Crystalline compounds penetrate the joint capsule and cause painful sensations similar to an exacerbation of gout. Salt deposits can calcify ligaments and tendon bridges under the shoulder blade and collarbone. The pain occurs suddenly, more often in people from 30 to 50 years old, it hurts to move the shoulder away from the body;
• In case of injuries. In such cases, very strong and sharp pain occurs, for example, when falling, the joint head comes out of the joint capsule and tears the ligaments.

Aching pain in the shoulder

Aching pain in the shoulder is familiar to many people – unpleasant painful sensations make normal life difficult and cause a lot of discomfort.

Shoulder pain may indicate many diseases. Only after consulting a neurologist or traumatologist can a final diagnosis be made and the cause determined. Very often, the cause of pain may be: arthrosis of the shoulder joint, osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, inflammation of the nerve roots that innervate the arm, trauma, physical overload of the muscles. There are also cases when aching pain in the shoulder may be caused by somatic diseases. This may be myocardial infarction, esophagitis.

If pain occurs, it is better to immediately contact a neurologist or osteopath. These specialists can easily distinguish between nervous pathology and joint pathology and prescribe effective treatment.

Also, aching pain in the shoulder can manifest itself in pathology of the jaw and masticatory muscles. These muscle groups are innervated by the same muscle groups in the temporomandibular joint. Violation of the load on this group causes a reflex change in muscle tone, as a result, the tone of the muscles of the shoulder girdle also changes. After all, the nerve pathways innervating both muscle groups are located very close to each other. Only a doctor can establish the true cause.

Severe pain in the shoulder

Severe pain in the shoulder indicates many pathologies, the true cause of which cannot always be determined independently. Severe pain syndrome can be observed with the following pathologies:

1. Shoulder injury - fracture, sprain, dislocation. The cause may be carelessness when carrying or lifting heavy objects, an uncomfortable sleeping position, or a blow. The pain is usually acute and intensifies when moving the affected arm.
2. Severe pain in the shoulder can be observed with inflammatory processes in the joint capsule - bursitis, or inflammation of the tendons - tendinitis. Also, pain in the shoulder is accompanied by problems with the spine - a pinched nerve. With arthritis, intervertebral hernia, pain can also radiate to the shoulder, neck and face.
3. If there are no injuries, and the pain in the shoulder increases with movement, but at the same time a strong cough appears, acute pain in the chest when inhaling and pain in the abdomen, then this indicates a pathology of the liver, lungs, gallbladder. Pain in the shoulder on the left indicates damage to the lung or spleen.

If severe pain in the shoulder is accompanied by limited mobility of the joint, there is a high temperature, swelling, redness, the joint is deformed, there are injuries, bleeding and the pain is unbearable, then you should immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance.

Sharp pain in the shoulder

Sharp pain in the shoulder is an alarming sign and can be observed in neuralgic amyotropia (idiopathic brachial plexopathy). This condition does not have a clear pathogenesis, is sometimes observed after the introduction of vaccines, and is rarely inherited. It is expressed as an acute, unilateral lesion of the brachial nerves, in which the short branches are affected.

It develops at the age of 20-40 years. The pain appears suddenly, in the shoulder and supraclavicular area. After a short period of time, the pain subsides, but weakness begins to develop and the muscles atrophy - the anterior serratus, deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, rhomboid, sternocleidomastoid, biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, extensor carpi. Sometimes several muscles are affected. The diagnosis is confirmed by the clinical course of the pathology. A similar picture of pain is observed in cholelithiasis, diseases of the shoulder joint, intervertebral hernia in the cervical spine, etc.

A sharp, severe pain in the shoulder may be a reason to see a doctor if it has caused an injury, is accompanied by a rash, swelling, high temperature, lasts for a long time and does not subside after taking a painkiller.

Sharp pain in the shoulder

Acute pain in the shoulder occurs with improper distribution of loads, overfatigue after high physical loads. This leads to inflammation of the joint and swelling, which entails partial or complete dysfunction.

Another possible cause of acute pain is intervertebral hernia of the cervical and thoracic spine. When ligaments are torn, a spherical tumor forms at the site of injury. Acute pain can also be caused by inflammation of the shoulder joint - bursitis or inflammation of the ligaments - tendinitis.

If an attack of acute pain in the shoulder begins when trying to raise the arm, then the cause may be the deposition of salts, which complicates the work of the ligaments and leads to arthrosis, and this disease requires long-term treatment.

In addition to the above-mentioned diseases, shoulder pain is observed with osteochondrosis, angina pectoris, tumors of adjacent areas, liver diseases and myocardial infarction.

Acute pain in the shoulder, accompanied by fever, prolonged pain syndrome that does not subside after taking painkillers, are a reason for immediate contact with a neurologist or osteopath. These specialists will be able to identify the nature of the pathology and prescribe effective specialized treatment.

Aching pain in the shoulder

A nagging pain in the shoulder very often manifests itself as a complication of osteochondrosis – scapulohumeral periarthritis (periarthritis).

Painful sensations occur without any particular reason, at rest. Most often, the pain makes itself known at night, the pain has a mild intensity, but depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. The disease develops over several weeks or months. The pain intensifies, the intensity increases when moving the affected arm, when placing the arm behind the head, abducting, lifting up. If you limit the movements of the affected arm or fix it motionless, then the attacks of pain subside and appear much less often.

If the nagging pain in the shoulder that accompanies this pathology does not make the patient want to see a doctor and not receive proper treatment and care, over time there is a high probability of developing stiffness of the shoulder joint. In this case, a person simply will not be able to raise his arm above the horizontal position, and this causes discomfort not only in everyday life, but also makes the patient incapacitated. The recovery and treatment period in advanced cases can take from several months to a year; therapeutic exercise and massage are indicated as a preventive measure.

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Constant pain in the shoulder

Constant shoulder pain has a number of common causes:

1. Inflammation of the tendon bag around the joint. This pathology is called tendinitis and is aggravated after excessive physical exertion, as a result of which the friction of the tendons on the bones causes pain in the shoulder.
2. If the pain is constant and is accompanied by a shoulder injury, this may indicate a rupture, sprain or fracture.
3. If pain constantly appears when working with the arm - lifting, abducting, placing it behind the head, then this is the first sign of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
4. Shoulder pain may be observed with tumor pathology. Rarely with hereditary diseases characterized by anatomical anomalies or developmental defects. Also, such a condition may be observed as a result of an old injury to the shoulder joint that has not responded to correct treatment.
5. Often the cause of constant pain in the shoulder can be diseases of the internal organs that radiate to the shoulder - diseases of the liver, gallbladder, lungs, heart (myocardial infarction).
6. The main cause of constant shoulder pain is scapulohumeral periarthritis. At first, the pain increases gradually, then becomes persistent, and worsens at night. During this period, the movements of the affected arm are limited - each attempt to change position is accompanied by a burning pain that spreads to the entire arm. The disease can go away without treatment, or it can lead to muscle exhaustion and limited movement in the shoulder joint.

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Dull pain in the shoulder

A dull pain in the shoulder can be caused by a number of pathologies and diseases. If the pain is not pronounced, intensifies only after loading the affected shoulder (after normal movements, work), then this indicates tendinitis - inflammation of the tendons enveloping the head of the shoulder joint. This occurs because during loads, the tendons continuously rub against the bone.

The cause may also be somatic diseases - pathologies of the liver, spleen, lungs, pinched intervertebral hernia in the thoracic or cervical region.

It is very important to pay attention to what other symptoms accompany the dull pain in the shoulder - fever, rash, shortness of breath, pain in the abdomen, heart. Often, with myocardial infarction, the pain radiates to the left shoulder. The nature of the pain in the shoulder is constant, aching.

Also, dull pain in the shoulder can be a consequence of developing neurogenic pathology, sensitivity disorder, insufficient trophism of muscle tissue. Often, pain in periarthritis makes itself known at night, the nature of the pain is dull, unexpressed, but depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. The disease develops over several weeks or months. Over time, the pain intensifies, the intensity increases with the movement of the affected arm, when placing the arm behind the head, abducting, lifting up.

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Stabbing pain in the shoulder

A stabbing pain in the shoulder signals a developing pathology, so this condition requires a doctor's consultation and further correct treatment and specialists.

There may be several reasons for pain. Most often, pain syndrome manifests itself in:

• Low physical activity.
• Untreated injuries and sprains.
• Incorrect posture.
• Heavy load on the shoulder joint.

A stabbing pain in the shoulder in people around 50 years of age indicates the processes of deformation of the shoulder joint - arthrosis. The cartilaginous layer of the joint loses elasticity, becomes rough and pain appears when moving.

Also, the cause may be not only diseases of the bone and muscular system, but also inflammation of an infectious nature - chlamydia, streptococcal infection, tuberculosis, candidiasis, etc.

Those whose profession is associated with prolonged load on the shoulder (standing with raised arms, bench press) experience frequent pain in the shoulder joint. In some cases, arthritis and bursitis may develop.

In each of the above cases, it is important to remember that the appearance of pain in the shoulder joint is preceded by a cause. Treatment should only be started after diagnosis, and refusing self-medication will help prevent serious complications.

Burning pain in the shoulder

A burning pain in the shoulder is one of the symptoms of cervical-shoulder syndrome. The pain occurs without a reason and can radiate to the arm, at night the pain intensifies. The pain can increase when raising the arm, putting it behind the head, but with a certain fixation of the sore arm it gradually weakens.

Gradually, the trophism of the muscles adjacent to the joint is disrupted, the joint articulation becomes stiff. Sensitivity disorders may also be observed - along with piercing burning pain, the sensitivity of the skin is disrupted. The skin is bluish, moist, there may be swelling at the wrist joint. Palpation of the paravertebral points in the cervical region is painful.

If the main cause of the pathology is the appearance of an additional rib, then the burning pain in the shoulder can change its character - the pain can be dull, shooting, burning, increasing towards evening. Paresthesia, hyperesthesia of the upper limb is observed. When tilting the head to the sore side and raising the elbow, the pain weakens. The strength of the arm is noticeably reduced, the process of muscle atrophy progresses due to vegetative disorder. At this stage, you should immediately consult a doctor to restore the motor and nervous activity of the arm.

Shooting pain in the shoulder

Shooting pain in the shoulder most often indicates disorders in the field of neurology. They can occur due to compression of the brachial nerve. This pathology can be represented by radiculalgia, neuralgia, dysesthesia and/or myalgia. Each of these disorders has its own symptoms.

With radiculalgia of the shoulder joint, acute attacks of pain are experienced, which can take on a shooting character, muscle weakness appears, and sensitivity is impaired.

With neuralgia, the pain becomes aching and long-lasting. The painful sensations increase with movement and cease at rest. With dysesthesia, the pain is stabbing or burning superficial, the pain increases during movement of the affected arm. With myalgia, the pain is constant, deep, increases with pressure on the affected muscle or when it is stretched. In each of the listed cases, the sensitivity of the skin is impaired.

Neurological disorders, if not treated correctly or at an advanced stage, lead to atrophy of the shoulder muscles and loss of human capacity. If the described pain symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor without hesitation.

Pain in the shoulders and neck

Pain in the shoulders and neck can occur with the following diseases:

1. Arthritis.
2. Scapulohumeral periarthritis.
3. Cervical osteochondrosis.
4. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
5. Myalgia.
6. Plexitis.

Shoulder arthritis is the main cause of pain in the shoulder and neck. With this pathology, the joint becomes inflamed, and can have two forms. With primary arthritis, the joint is affected primarily, with secondary arthritis - as a result of an injury or fracture, lupus, rheumatism, scleroderma. The pain is sharp, the joint is swollen, the skin is red, there is a crunch and clicking sound when moving.

Shoulder-scapular periarthritis is an inflammation of the ligaments in the joint capsule. It develops after injuries, mammary gland removal, and myocardial infarction. Movements in the joint become constrained, the pain intensifies with movement and at night. If the disease is neglected at an early stage, it becomes chronic. As a result, muscular dystrophy develops, and the joint articulation fuses.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a type of arthrosis that affects the cervical vertebrae. Among the causes are trauma, scoliosis, sedentary work, and metabolic disorders. In addition to pain in the shoulder and neck, dizziness and headaches are observed. The pain is burning, pulsating, and intensifies when moving the head.

Shoulder joint arthrosis is a degenerative change in the cartilage of the shoulder joint and bones. The course is practically asymptomatic, with mild pain syndrome. It leads to irreversible deformation of the joints and disability.

Myalgia – occurs as a result of prolonged muscle spasm, after injuries, high physical exertion, with improper distribution of load on the shoulders, after flu, acute respiratory viral infections, leptospirosis. The pain bothers with pressure, movement.

Plexitis of the brachial nerve is a pathology that develops with compression, damage or rupture of the brachial nerve. It is accompanied by pain in the neck and shoulder, decreased sensitivity of the skin on the outer side of the shoulder, paresis of some muscle groups.

In what cases does pain radiate to the shoulder?

Pain radiates to the shoulder most often with concomitant heart pathologies. This could be an attack of angina or myocardial infarction. In this case, it is worth paying attention to all the symptoms and the intensity of their manifestation.

Causes of pain radiating to the shoulder may be as a result of:

• Impingement syndrome (narrowing syndrome).
• Rupture of the tendon - rupture of the rotator cuff.
• Calcification of the forearm.
• Inflammatory process of the shoulder joint.
• Neurogenic pathology manifested in the form of paresis, muscle hypotrophy, sensitivity disorders. Observed in cervical radiculopathy, cervical-brachial plexopathy, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndromes, neuralgic amyotrophy, myelopathies.
• Protrusions or herniations of intervertebral discs in the cervical and thoracic regions.
• The pain may radiate to the shoulder if any adjacent muscle is affected. Myofascial syndrome is characterized by the tendon being intertwined with the joint capsule.
• Arthrosis, arthritis of the shoulder.

When does the pain radiate to the left shoulder?

Pain radiates to the left shoulder mainly in case of heart diseases – angina attacks, myocardial infarction. In case of angina, there is a pressing pain behind the breastbone, radiating to the shoulder joint area, under the left shoulder blade, neck, lower jaw. In case of myocardial infarction, the pain in the chest, behind the breastbone, in the pericardium is strong and sharp, and after a heart attack, the pain often radiates to the left arm or shoulder – due to vascular spasm.

Also, the cause of pain radiating to the left shoulder may be a ligament rupture or stretching, or injuries to the muscles of the upper limb. The cause of pain may also be a violation of innervation, manifested by muscle hypotrophy and impaired tactile sensitivity. This condition is observed in cervical radiculopathy, cervical-brachial plexopathy, neuropathy, and myelopathy.

It is always worth paying attention to accompanying symptoms, because any pain has a cause. Therefore, if the pain radiates to the left shoulder, this may be a symptom of pathological changes in the liver, spleen, lungs. Even if the pain does not cause much discomfort, you should immediately consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis, exclude possible complications (peritonitis, pneumothorax, etc.) and prescribe treatment.

When does the pain radiate to the right shoulder?

Pain radiates to the right shoulder with some pathologies of internal organs, for example, destructive changes in the liver, spleen, pneumonia, cervical radiculitis, tumor diseases of organs in the chest area.

With scapulohumeral periarthritis, pain may not only be concentrated in the shoulder joint area, but also around it, as if radiating to the shoulder. In addition, pain may radiate not only to the shoulder, but also to the forearm and hand and be of a constant nature. If you do not seek medical help in time, the motor activity of the arm in the shoulder joint may be impaired.

Pain radiating to the shoulder may be caused by inflammation or damage to individual tendons or ligaments.

If pain occurs when moving the arm to the side and forward, this is a sign of damage to the supraspinal tendon.

If pain occurs when the arm is pressed towards the body at the elbow, this means that the infraspinal tendon is damaged.

If pain occurs when turning the forearm inward, this indicates damage or injury to the long biceps.

There may also be other causes of pain radiating to the right shoulder - a fracture of the forearm bones, damage to nerve fibers or their compression due to tumors, dislocations, injuries.

Pain in the shoulder and arm

The causes of pain in the right shoulder and arm can be different, but in any case, this is a reason to contact a specialist to prevent the development of more serious complications.

If the shoulder hurts in the upper part, but at the same time there is numbness in the entire arm, then this indicates an intervertebral hernia. Due to the fact that the nerve roots are compressed and painful sensations appear.

One of the probable causes of severe pain in the shoulder and arm may be inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder joint. The reason for this is intense, excessive loads on the shoulder girdle. With inflammation of the biceps tendons, chronic pain in the shoulder joint develops, which intensifies with pressure and motor activity.

If swelling of the shoulder joint is added to the pain, it is bursitis. Not only the shoulder, but also the neck and shoulder girdle may hurt. The cause of pain in the right arm and shoulder girdle, especially pronounced when raising the arm, may be salt deposits.

A common cause of pain in the shoulder and arm is scapulohumeral periarthritis. The disease gradually progresses, the pain is more pronounced at night. With paresis and muscle hypotrophy, the pain is neurogenic in nature.

An osteopathic doctor will help establish the correct diagnosis and effective treatment of pain in the shoulder and arm. The doctor will identify and eliminate the cause, whether it is muscle tension, pinched nerve endings that have caused joint diseases.

Shoulder joint pain

Shoulder joint pain is one of the most common complaints. Often the pain precedes further limitation of arm movement in the shoulder, muscular dystrophy of the arm.

Often, such changes in the work of the hand occur with age. The reason for this is the regular high load on the hand, or more precisely on the tendon-ligament and tendon-capsule apparatus of the shoulder. As a result, degenerative and dystrophic changes in the articular articulation of the shoulder occur.

Also, the cause may be a shoulder injury - a dislocation or fracture, a severe bruise. All this leads to traumatization of the joint and tendon-muscle bag. In addition, pain may occur some time after the injury and especially often bother after physical exertion. Athletes-weightlifters or those people whose working conditions include regular high physical exertion suffer from such a disorder - chronic microtrauma of the shoulder.

Shoulder joint pain is also observed with scapulohumeral periarthritis and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. With scapulohumeral periarthritis, both joints are affected, but in one of the joints the changes are more pronounced and severe.

In any case, painful sensations in the shoulder are a reason to see a doctor, at least to prevent the development of complications that lead to dysfunction of the shoulder girdle.

Pain from elbow to shoulder

Pain from the elbow to the shoulder raises many questions. It is important to clarify what causes them and which specialist to contact for help.

If the pain occurs when raising the arm up or the arm does not rise completely, if it hurts to make circular movements, it hurts to lie on the affected shoulder and the aching pain prevents you from sleeping at night, then most likely the cause is scapulohumeral periarthritis. The pathology manifests itself as inflammation of the tissues around the shoulder joint, joint ligaments, tendons. The pain spreads from the shoulder to the elbow, the muscles swell and compress the nerves, which causes severe pain, and also innervation disorders - the arm goes numb, strength weakens.

The causes of periarthritis can be different - this includes osteochondrosis of the spinal column, shoulder injuries, and high loads. Plus, if there is a hidden source of infection in the body - a chronic disease (tonsillitis, bronchitis, nephritis), then the existing infectious elements cause acute inflammation. If there are at least two of these reasons, then the likelihood of developing scapulohumeral periarthritis is very high. If you do not consult a doctor in time, then over time the articular surface becomes immobile and this entails partial loss of working capacity.

Shoulder pain at night

Shoulder pain at night is the first sign of scapulohumeral periarthritis. Not only the muscle tissue suffers, but also the ligaments of the upper shoulder girdle. A piercing pain occurs not only in the shoulder, but also in the entire arm, and intensifies with movement. The pain intensifies at night, especially if you try to lie on the sore shoulder. Gradually, the pain forces you to limit the movements of the sore arm, which leads to muscle atrophy and joint immobility. Headaches, aching pain in the neck, depression, and sleep disturbances may be observed.

Another possible cause of shoulder pain at night is bursitis. This is a chronic inflammation of the joint capsule. There is persistent swelling around the joint, and it is impossible to sleep on the affected side. The pain is sharp, piercing when the arm is moved away and placed behind the head. The causes of bursitis are varied, often it is a high load on the joint, trauma, infection that has penetrated the joint capsule.

Persistent pain in the shoulders at night indicates that the disease is becoming chronic. With proper treatment, bursitis can be cured in 1-2 weeks. The main rule is to eliminate the traumatic factor, and the rest of the treatment is selected individually after confirming the diagnosis at a doctor's appointment.

Shoulder pain when moving

Shoulder pain when moving is the first sign that the joint has begun to deteriorate. The reasons may be different - these include difficult working conditions, excessive physical exertion, inflammation, and injuries. The disruption of the normal function of the joint for the above reasons is expressed by pain syndrome.

With capsulitis - inflammation of the periarticular bag, there is difficulty in moving the joint. It is difficult to raise the arm up, take it away and put it behind the head, the muscle mass of the shoulder girdle decreases, but all these changes increase gradually.

With changes in the rotator cuff and loads on it (painting the ceiling, holding a load over your head for a long time). Sharp, cramping pain appears the next morning, it is impossible to raise your arm above your head, the muscles are tense.

Tendobursitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule as a result of calcifications forming on the tendons. The pain in the shoulder is sharp, increases with movement, and can spread to the neck, shoulder girdle, and arm.

Shoulder pain when moving is one of those symptoms that require immediate medical attention to determine the true cause of inflammation or degenerative changes, which will prevent the development of serious complications.

Shoulder and back pain

Pain in the shoulders and back is the first signal that the body is not working smoothly. Pain is the reaction of the nerve cells of the human body to damage, injury. Pain can occur in several cases:

1. Muscle damage.
2. Lifestyle, performing the same type of work with a constant load, uncomfortable working posture (when driving a car, working at a computer).
3. Long-term daily load on muscle groups.
4. Muscle compression.
5. Muscle tension due to emotional shock or a stressful situation.
6. Hypothermia of muscles.
7. Atypical physical activity.
8. Injuries, sprains.

In each case, increased muscle tone and pain are felt when palpating the muscle. Due to pain, the muscle contracts and therefore normal blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area are hampered. Because of this, the pain only intensifies, and trophic disorders increase. In addition, constant tension leads to muscle spasm. You can try to massage the affected muscle yourself to relieve the spasm and restore blood flow, and then seek qualified help from a doctor, because pain in the shoulders and back indicates a dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.

Shoulder pain when inhaling

In cases where shoulder pain occurs when inhaling, it is better to immediately consult a doctor to establish the true cause of the disease. After all, pain can make itself known not only with shoulder injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the upper shoulder girdle. Pain does not allow you to lead your usual way of life, it constrains you.

The most common pathologies that cause shoulder pain when inhaling:

• Osteochondrosis. When nerve roots are compressed, pain occurs that prevents full movement and intensifies with movement and inhalation.
• Intercostal neuralgia. It is both constant and periodic. The pain is encircling, burning, constricting, and can radiate to the arm, shoulder, and neck. It intensifies with breathing, palpation, and sudden movements. It can be provoked by hypothermia, osteochondrosis, physical exertion, and improper working position.
• Myocardial infarction. The first sign is a stabbing pain in the chest, when inhaling and exhaling, spreading to the entire chest, back, neck, arms. The pain can provoke loss of consciousness, and if the pain does not go away after taking validol, then you should immediately call an ambulance.
• Gastric ulcer. The pain intensifies after eating, spreads under the shoulder blade, into the chest area and behind the breastbone. The first signs are heartburn, salivation, belching, nausea and vomiting.
• Psychological problems. Pain occurs suddenly, in different parts of the body, accompanied by a feeling of anxiety, heaviness. Sometimes there are panic attacks and shortness of breath as a result of hysterical spasm of the larynx.
• Hepatic colic. Observed with cholecystitis - gallstone disease. Provokes an exacerbation of spasm of the gallbladder, the cause of which is a violation of the diet, stress, infection, nervous exhaustion. The pain is sharp, spreads to the right arm, hypochondrium, shoulder, under the shoulder blade. The patient is anxious, changes position, the attack is accompanied by vomiting bile and an increase in temperature.

Shoulder pain with arm numbness

Shoulder pain accompanied by numbness in the arm is the first sign of the onset of an inflammatory process in the joint or the consequence of a serious injury. The cause may be scapulohumeral periarthritis, bursitis, shoulder dislocation, intervertebral hernia or chest tumors. The first thing that should alert you and that indicates scapulohumeral periarthritis is pain radiating to the arm, accompanied by complete or partial numbness. The pain is severe, increases at night, and palpation of the ligaments near the shoulder and shoulder blade is especially painful. As a result, the joint becomes immobile and ossifies, it is difficult to raise your arm, to hold weight on an outstretched arm. Tingling appears on the skin of the arm, sensitivity decreases, which indicates a vegetative-vascular disorder.

Dislocations also cause severe pain and loss of sensitivity, but this is preceded by a shoulder girdle injury that resulted in a dislocation or fracture. Sometimes, fractures damage nerves, which leads to numbness in the limb. For the same reason, you should never try to correct dislocations yourself.

In order for the pain in the shoulder and numbness of the arm not to bother you, you first need to identify the root cause and eliminate it correctly, and for this you need to contact an osteopath. Only after establishing a diagnosis can you begin treatment, and self-medication can lead to irreversible consequences that are harmful to the entire body.

Pain in the collarbone and shoulder

The collarbone is a hollow paired bone, one side of which is attached to the sternum and the other to the scapular process. Pain in the collarbone and shoulder can cause a lot of trouble, and if the cause of the pain is not an injury, then it is worth paying attention to the joints. There are a number of reasons why pain in the collarbone and shoulder occurs.

Fracture. When the collarbone is fractured, the bone is displaced toward the shoulder, accompanied by a rupture of the ligaments and muscle fibers, severe pain radiating to the shoulder. Visually, the forearm is shortened on the affected side, but with a closed fracture the picture is not so pronounced, but the person experiences pain when moving, lifting and abducting, rotating the arm.

Pinched cervical roots. In this case, the pain will radiate to the collarbone, neck, shoulder. This is easy to determine by sensations: swollen tongue and numbness behind the ear, hiccups, colic in the heart, difficulty swallowing. If these signs are detected, you should immediately seek help from a neurologist.

Displacement of joints. Occurs as a result of an injury, changes are easily identified by palpating the joints - there is pronounced swelling and pain in this area.

Brachial plexus neuralgia and intercostal neuralgia. These diseases can cause referred pain to the collarbone and shoulder joint.

Scapulohumeral periarthritis. The inflammatory process in the joint cavity causes pain not only in the shoulder itself, but also pain radiating to the collarbone, shoulder blade, neck, especially at night.

There are quite a few significant reasons that cause pain in the collarbone and shoulder, but to identify their cause, you need to see a doctor.

Shoulder pain after exercise

Shoulder pain after exercise can be a concern after unusual stress on the arms and shoulders. With a strong load on the shoulder girdle, the articular surfaces of the shoulder bones rub - this is the main cause of pain.

Another probable cause, not directly dependent on the loads, but appearing after them - other diseases in the body. These are problems with the liver, lungs, stomach, and perhaps even tumors of the chest.

To avoid shoulder pain after a workout, you should follow simple rules. This will not give a 100% guarantee, but the likelihood of pain can be reduced several times.

1. Warm up before training. You need to warm up all muscle groups, the warm-up should be complex. This includes running, rotating movements of the arms, legs, squats.
2. Use of warming ointments. Do not confuse with cooling ointments, which are best used after an injury when you need to reduce the manifestation of pain. Warming ointments contain components that improve blood circulation in the area of application. An option is an ointment based on bee venom.
3. And the simplest thing is to monitor the technicality of the strength complexes performed.

Shoulder pain during pregnancy

Throughout the entire pregnancy, a woman may experience pain of various natures. Often, painful sensations are not dangerous and are quite natural with physiological changes in the body. But joint pain is one of those changes that are not quite typical and that bring a certain discomfort.

Often, shoulder pain during pregnancy indicates a lack of calcium. To establish this, it is enough to simply do a biochemical blood test. This will provide information about the chemical composition of the blood. Thus, the doctor selects the necessary vitamin supplements, makes up a diet. This is not only fermented milk products, but also fish of various types, egg yolk, liver.

Also, joint pain during pregnancy can occur due to the effect of the hormone relaxin on the ligaments. Relaxin makes the ligaments more elastic so that during labor the hip joints, moving apart, make the birth canal wider and do not interfere with the passage of the fetus. Accordingly, relaxin acts on all large joints of the skeleton.

Also, shoulder pain during pregnancy can be an inflammatory process or a previous illness (cold, any other infection). At the first signs, you should immediately consult a doctor and in no case self-medicate.

Diagnosing Shoulder Pain

Diagnosing shoulder pain will help you create an effective treatment plan in a timely manner. When pain occurs, you need the help of a neurologist or therapist to establish a diagnosis. If the examination reveals that the cause of the pain is an internal organ disease, you should contact specialized doctors to eliminate the primary source of pain, rather than fight the symptoms.

Diagnostics and treatment should be carried out in several stages. Treatment measures should be aimed at eliminating the cause of pain, eliminating pathogenic flora that caused inflammation, eliminating symptomatic manifestations of the disease and restoring normal function of the affected joint. If treatment measures are taken correctly, then pain in the shoulder joints can be relieved without complications and in the shortest possible time.

It is impossible to diagnose serious diseases of the shoulder joints on your own, so it is better to refuse self-diagnosis and self-treatment in order not to deal with serious systemic complications. It is necessary to consult a doctor at least because each person's body is individual, and it is impossible to treat it according to a template, and the doctor will always find a professional approach and the diagnosis of pain in the shoulder, as well as its correct treatment will not be difficult for the doctor.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors are used for arthritis, arthrosis, bursitis. When for some reason the disease has been neglected, and these drugs no longer give results, it is necessary to resort to the use of hormones and narcotic analgesics in order to reduce the patient's suffering. Such drugs are also used in the progression of malignant tumors. The drugs are administered both orally and intravenously and even in the form of intra-articular injections. But quite often, conservative treatment of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint is ineffective. Therefore, surgical treatment is offered, and the most effective method today is joint endoprosthetics.

In case of bruises, ligament ruptures, apply ice to the affected area. Then you can resort to folk remedies: make a vinegar compress at night. Rub the sore shoulder with the prepared infusion: 3 tablespoons of lilac flowers, 1 tablespoon of crushed burdock root and 3 pods of hot pepper are mixed with 1 liter of alcohol, infused for three days. Or with an ointment: melt 100 g of unsalted lard, add 1 pod of red pepper, 3 teaspoons of crushed meadowsweet and the same amount of St. John's wort.

Periarthritis is treated with analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, which are injected into the intra-articular capsule, novocaine blockades, acupuncture. If the disease has a strongly pronounced inflammatory nature, glucocorticosteroid drugs are used in the form of ointments and injections.

Yoga gives good results for shoulder pain. It relaxes the muscular mechanism of our body, which is very useful for the body and especially for the neck and shoulders. Electrophoresis and magnetic therapy, anti-inflammatory ointments and compresses made of bischofite are used.

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Treatment for shoulder pain

Treatment of shoulder pain is a multi-level and complex process. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of shoulder pain. Only by identifying the root cause and eliminating it can you achieve a progressive result and restore the full range of joint functions, without possible relapses of the disease.

Until the diagnosis is established, symptomatic treatment can be used to ease the pain a little. To do this, the affected arm needs to be immobilized in the joint, and pain can be relieved with medications or cooling compresses.

In order to relieve pain, two types of analgesics are used - narcotic and non-narcotic, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of inflammation of the shoulder joint, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used - ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, nimesulide, meloxicam. In more severe cases - steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone. The drugs can be prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, and intra-articular injections can be performed, when the required dose of the drug is injected with a syringe directly into the joint capsule.

Treatment of shoulder pain is a serious process, so a treatment plan should only be prescribed by a doctor and only after the necessary tests and a final diagnosis.

Folk remedies for shoulder pain

Folk remedies for shoulder pain are used only strictly after approval of the attending physician. The causes of shoulder pain can be varied, so there is no single scheme for treating the root cause, and delving into the advice of friends and relatives can be not only harmful, but also dangerous. There are several rules, following which you can relieve pain and strengthen the shoulder girdle, as well as alleviate the condition.

1. Do shoulder exercises daily. This will make the ligaments more elastic and the muscles will always be in good shape.
2. Maintain correct posture. Failure to comply with this rule can affect the condition of the shoulder joint and not only. It is enough to simply do exercises for the back and abdominal muscles.
3. After receiving a shoulder injury, it is better to immediately apply a cold compress and massage the bruised area. In order not to injure the skin, it is necessary to apply a bandage or put a towel on the affected area before applying ice.

Folk remedies for shoulder pain that will help alleviate the general condition:

• a honey compress can be applied to the affected area of the shoulder joint. The skin is smeared with a thin layer of honey, compress paper is placed on top, the shoulder is wrapped and the compress is fixed with a bandage. It should be kept for at least 12 hours, you can do the procedure at night. A course of 5-10 procedures.
• You can make pine baths. To do this, soak pine needles and young cones in cold water for 10 minutes, then boil them and let the decoction brew for 12 hours. After that, you can take medicinal baths, at the rate of 1.5 infusions per full bath. You can take a bath for at least 20 minutes.

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Massage for shoulder pain

Massage for shoulder pain is especially necessary after illnesses, injuries and for prevention. Therefore, shoulder joint massage should be given no less attention than back massage.

The shoulder joint is anatomically positioned in such a way that it is constantly exposed to high loads and the risk of injury. Shoulder pain may remind you of itself after an uncomfortable work position or after intense physical activity without proper preparation.

Problems with the shoulder joint such as muscle strain, ligament rupture, damage to the cartilage layer, dislocation, fracture, arthrosis and arthritis require recovery, which is based not only on eliminating the underlying cause, but also on restorative massage and exercise therapy.

Massage for shoulder pain should begin with the forearm muscle group, it is better to bend the arm being massaged and place it on the healthy shoulder or move it back - this will make it easier to massage the joint capsule. You need to massage the deltoid muscle evenly, with the same force, and the entire joint in a fan-shaped motion. Then you can begin to alternately rub the front and back of the joint capsule in a circle and in a straight line. Rubbing should be combined with stroking, so as not to create unnecessary discomfort for the patient in the affected area. The lymph nodes should not be massaged.

Exercises for Shoulder Pain

Exercises for shoulder pain should be performed daily, especially if a case of inflammation of the shoulder joint has been previously established. First of all, a physical complex of exercises is aimed at reducing the risk of tightness and stiffness in the shoulder joint and restoring its function.

Therapeutic exercises (LFK) for periarthritis are needed to reduce pain in the shoulder, restore full function of the joint, and increase muscle tone of the shoulder joint muscles affected by the disease.

You should only begin a therapeutic exercise program after a doctor’s examination, diagnosis, and initiation of medication treatment.

1. While sitting, rotate your elbows forward and backward for 1 minute in each direction. Your hands should be on your shoulders.
2. Sitting on a chair, place your hands on your waist and without lifting your hands, move your elbows as far forward as possible and as far back as possible. Perform up to 10 times in each direction.
3. The sore arm is placed behind the back, then grabbed by the healthy hand and slightly stretched. At the maximum point of stretching, you need to fix for 10 seconds. Do 4-5 times.
4. The hand of the sick arm is placed on the shoulder of the healthy one and with this hand the elbow of the sick one is stretched to the maximum possible distance, the elbow being pressed tightly to the chest. Do 6-8 times.

Ointment for shoulder pain

Shoulder pain ointment is prescribed only by the attending physician, taking into account all the characteristics of the patient's body. First of all, it should be an anti-inflammatory agent in the form of an ointment - to make it easier to apply to the affected area, plus it lasts longer. Rub the medicinal ointment no more than 4 times a day, onto clean, undamaged skin. This can be Celecoxib, Meloxicam, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac ointment - the drug is prescribed by the doctor based on the examination data. It is also recommended to injure the arm less - apply a bandage or fix the sore shoulder with a sling, sit less in an uncomfortable position, do not carry heavy objects.

The duration of treatment should be at least two weeks. Even after the pain in the shoulder has subsided, the treatment should not be interrupted, otherwise the disease may recur, and resistance to the drug may develop.

If the cause of pain is a spasm of the muscles of the shoulder and neck, it is necessary to use special anti-inflammatory medicinal ointments based on muscle relaxants. In rare, severe cases, medications are injected into the joint capsule. This is an extreme measure, resorted to in cases where the ointment for shoulder pain does not give results.

Shoulder Pain Prevention

Shoulder pain prevention will protect you from serious illnesses and help keep your joints in excellent condition. And this is the key to a full life without limitations and pain. Here is what is important to follow for this:

1. Do not sleep on a pillow that is too hard or too high. The best pillow for sleeping is a firm bolster that should be placed under your neck.
2. If possible, do not wear a backpack or do it infrequently. Do not carry a bag on one shoulder, distribute the weight evenly, on both sides.
3. Maintain your posture. Do not sit in an uncomfortable position, work at the computer in the correct position.
4. Do exercises. This will help keep all the muscles of the body in good shape and maintain posture and correct body position.
5. Eliminate the possibility of hypothermia. Dress warmly, according to the weather.
6. Avoid excessive physical exertion and warm up before training.
7. Perform physical exercise routines correctly and technically, without putting strain on the cervical spine.
8. Follow a diet and eat right, consume the required amount of vitamins.

Prevention of pain in the arm and its observance are always much easier than a long period of treatment and recovery. If the pain in the shoulder has made itself known, it is better not to delay a visit to the doctor. Timely measures will help to avoid serious consequences of an advanced disease.