Pain in the shoulder joint

Pain in the shoulder joint is a fairly common complaint for patients of many age groups. The shoulder joint is actively used by everyone - from small to large, as this is perhaps one of the most mobile joints in the body.

It is the shoulder joint that makes it possible to move the hand, raise it, wind it over the head or back. Joint movements provide motor activity in three planes, but this ability is a provoking factor that reduces the stability of the joint, as well as the risk of destruction of its structures. Especially often rotational shoulder cuff is damaged, which is more correctly called rotator cuff.

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Causes of pain in the shoulder joint

The cause of pain in the shoulder can be various diseases, trauma and anatomical pathologies. The cause is most often determined by the pain-provoking movements, among which may be the following: 

1. If the shoulder joint hurts when raising the arm forward or diverting it to the side, then the search for the disease must begin in the supraspinal tendon.
2. If the shoulder hurts with external rotation of the arm and the elbow pressed to the body, the infraspinal tendon most likely suffered.
3. If the pain in the shoulder joint occurs with the inner rotation of the arm and the elbow pressed to the body, the changes occur in the subscapular region.
4. If the front part of the shoulder hurts, when the forearm turns inwards, this indicates an inflammation of the shoulder bicep.
5. If the pain in the shoulder joint is manifested with any movement, motor activity is significantly reduced - this is a clear sign of inflammation of the entire joint capsule.
6. If the pain occurs when lifting minor weights is a sign of damage to the tendon located along the biceps muscle.

Most often, pain in the shoulder joint provokes such diseases: 

• Inflammation of the muscle of the inner zone of the shoulder joint - tendonitis of the biceps. The pain symptom becomes intense with increasing load, movement and palpation. There may also be a rupture of the muscle tendon in this area, in this case, in addition to pain, there is a characteristic bulge at the site of injury. 
• Bursitis, characteristic of swelling in the joint zone. Bursitis - an inflammatory process in the synovial articular bag, accompanied by the accumulation of fluid - exudate. Bursitis is most often combined with tendon inflammation - tendonitis. 
• Tendonitis is the most common pathology. Inflammation captures almost all tendons, provoking severe pain in the shoulder joint. Tendonitis develops because of the increased stress on the joint, which causes friction and damage to the tendons of the joint bone. 
• Injury of the shoulder is a stroke, a fall in which the humerus is displaced and exits from the joint cavity. When a trauma is often torn tendons, causing severe pain in the shoulder joint. 
• Professional injury to athletes - a recurrent or habitual dislocation of the shoulder. The shoulder loses stability and periodically falls out of the joint, while the periarticular tissues are irritated, provoking painful sensations. Also, the habitual dislocation can be caused by a lack of calcium in the body (osteoporosis). 
• The so-called deposition of salts, which it would be more correct to call the notoriety of the ligament apparatus of the shoulder. This is a systemic disease, most often diagnosed in elderly patients. 
• Stretching of the ligament apparatus with an intense physical or sports load, which can be accompanied by rupture of the cartilaginous sponge. 
• Diseases of the internal organs, which are symptomatically manifested as pain in the shoulder joint. It can be angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, liver disease or pneumonia. With these pathologies, the pain often radiates to the shoulder region. 
• Oncological diseases, including tumors of the chest.
• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often manifests itself in the form of pain in the shoulder. 
• Anatomical developmental defects, including hemihypoplasia (muscular one-sided atrophy) or joint instability syndrome. 
• Plexitis - defeat of the brachial plexus. 
• Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a degenerative change in the structure of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint. 
• Herniated disc in the thorax or cervical region. 
• Periarthrosis or humeropathy periarthritis is a disease caused by a mechanical factor when the muscles of the shoulder are in constant tension. Periarthrosis can be associated with professional activities (building professions). Started periarthrosis or periarthritis can completely block the operation of the shoulder joint. 
• Capsule, which is figuratively called a "frozen" shoulder, as the movement of the joint is almost completely blocked.

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How is the shoulder joint?

The shoulder joint is considered spherical and consists of three basic bones - the head, collarbone and cavitas glenoidalis or the articular cavity of the scapula. The clavicle is not connected with the shoulder in the anatomical sense, however it plays an important role in the motor function of the shoulder joint. The edge of the glenoid or articular cavity is surrounded by a specific tissue - cartilaginous roller or lip, it is this cartilaginous tissue that holds the head in the joint. The joint capsule consists of a system of ligaments that are divided into the beak-shaped and joint-brachial, consisting of three sensitive bundles. The entire joint is supported by muscle tissue and tendons, which create stability of the shoulder joint. Each muscle performs its role in active shoulder movements: 

• The subscapular muscle provides internal rotational motion.
• A muscular muscle helps the arm to lift and move the shoulder joint to the side.
• The deltoid muscle controls the effort at withdrawal.
• A small round muscle helps in the implementation of external rotational movements.
• The subordinate muscle also contributes to the external rotation of the shoulder.

All the muscles in general work as one system, called the rotator humeral cuff. Any irritation, inflammation or damage to tissues - muscle, cartilage, tendon, can cause pain in the shoulder joint.

Pain in the left shoulder joint

Pain in the left shoulder joint is a signal not only about the possible tendinitis (tendon stretching), bursitis (inflammation of the periarticular bag) or the deposition of salts. Pain in the left shoulder joint may indicate more serious diseases that require immediate medical attention. Such ailments include traumatic lung injury, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, the symptoms that are not always specific. In addition, a diagnosed and suffered heart attack can be the cause of left-sided humerus periarthritis. Necrosis of a specific area of the circulatory system, located in the region of the left shoulder, disrupts the circulation and blood supply of the shoulder tendon, which gradually begins to swell and become inflamed, as the humeropathy periarthritis develops.

Also, the factors that provoke pain in the left shoulder joint may be constriction syndrome or impidation syndrome, calcification of the tendon (calcinosis), plexitis, radiculopathy, protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine, injury or tumors of the shoulder joint.

Any painful sensation in the left shoulder requires the help of a doctor, accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Pain in the right shoulder joint

Most often acute pain in the right shoulder joint is a consequence of infringement of the intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine. Also, the cause of pain in the right shoulder can be bursitis and tendonitis of the biceps caused by excessive physical exertion, salt deposition, trauma, congenital anatomical pathologies, chronic liver diseases, radiculopathy, pneumonia, myositis. In clinical orthopedic practice, the most common cause causing chronic, growing pain in the right shoulder joint is a humeropathy periarthrosis or periarthritis. Pain with periarthritis appears imperceptibly, beginning with periodic discomforting sensations, gradually increasing and interfering not only with normal work during the day, but also at night. Pain in the right shoulder joint should be treated promptly, as a developing chronic disease can lead a person to disability. 

Types of pain in the shoulder joint

Severe pain in shoulder joint

Severe pains in the shoulder joint are most often caused by three main causes - shoulder trauma, acute inflammation in the joint and tendon, as well as inflammation of the injured nerve endings with the intervertebral hernia. Strong pain caused by trauma is preceded by internal swelling in the affected area and appears just a few minutes after injury. Pain sensations, which are provoked by the infringement of a hernia, usually begin at the time of excessive physical exertion, especially if it is associated with lifting the goods up (arms raised). In addition, severe pain in the shoulder joint can be a consequence of chronic tendobursitis, which passes into the acute stage. Tendons, muscles surrounding the joint, are gradually calcified, causing inflammation in the joint bag, so a pain symptom is formed. Intense pain in the shoulder often completely limits the active and passive movements of a person, so severe pain in the shoulder suggests professional medical help. Self-treatment is possible only in the initial period as a first aid, in the future, in order to avoid disability, you need to contact an orthopedist or a surgeon.

Aching pain in shoulder joint

Aching in the shoulder joint is a sign of a chronic inflammatory process, either in the joint itself or in the tendons. Also, this may indicate more threatening diseases, such as myocardial infarction or angina pectoris. The nature of the sensations, which are described as aching pain in the shoulder joint, is often associated with a purely physiological overstrain of the shoulder muscles. It happens on the strengthened trainings, at performance of heavy physical monotonous work. Tendonitis or tendobursitis begins with pain in the neck and shoulder. In addition, aching pain in the shoulder joint, which increases with changing weather, is a characteristic symptom of periarthritis or periarthrosis. In a state of rest, weak, periodic pains usually subside and become more intense only when the physical load increases. The insidiousness of such symptoms lies in the fact that a person tries to cope with the ailment on his own, losing precious time, which should be aimed at a qualitative treatment of the root cause of pain.

Sharp pain in the shoulder joint

Sharp pain in the shoulder joint is most often provoked by trauma, but it can also be caused by the rapid development of the inflammatory process in the tissues, in the joint bag or tendons. The cause of such pain may be a capsulitis, arthritis in the acute stage, including rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, as well as tendo bursitis, pleurisy (acute inflammation of the pleura and accumulation of exudate). In addition, a sharp pain in the shoulder joint is characteristic for protrusion of the discs of the cervical zone of the spine, infringement of the hernia. Like any other acute symptom, severe pain requires medical attention. Independently you can take an anesthetic (ketas, analgin), with trauma immobilize the shoulder. Further treatment is prescribed by an orthopedist, traumatologist or surgeon.

Sharp pain in the shoulder joint

Acute pain in the shoulder joint may be evidence of an exacerbation, the peak stage of the inflammatory process in muscles and tendons (tendinitis, tendo bursitis), a sign of exacerbated arthrosis or arthritis (rheumatoid, infectious, reactive), inflammation of nerve endings - neuritis of the brachial nerve. Strong painful sensations are characteristic for infringement of a hernia of intervertebral disks. In addition, acute pain in the shoulder joint is often provoked by injuries, including sports. These include rupture of the shoulder tendon, bone displacement, shoulder dislocation (return form). In elderly people, trauma can be triggered by age-related degenerative changes in bone tissues, osteoporosis, progressive osteochondrosis of the cervico-brachial section. The most acute acute pain in the shoulder joint on the left, since such a symptom may indicate an attack of angina or developing myocardial infarction. Acute symptoms require immediate medical attention, including severe and severe pain in the shoulder.

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Pain in the shoulder region

Pain in the shoulder region is a polysymptom, that is, a sign of many diseases. These painful sensations also in the hand most often testify to the acute stage of the humeropathy periarthritis.

Pain in the shoulder and neck region is a symptom of cervical spondylosis, scoliosis, cervical spine osteochondrosis, sprain or ligament rupture, static or physical overstrain

The pain symptom in the joint itself is arthritis or arthrosis.

Pain in the shoulder region, combined with pain in the sternum - a clear sign of the inflammatory process in the lungs (pleurisy, pneumonia) or a symptom of a chest injury.

Painful sensation in the muscular tissue surrounding the shoulder joint is a clear sign of myalgia.

If the pain in the shoulder region is associated with trauma, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, as well as need medical help for pain lasting more than a day.

Treatment of pain in the shoulder joint

After carrying out all the diagnostic measures, including the history, examination, orthopedic tests, X-ray examination, and possibly a CT scan, the therapy consists of three stages: 

1. Etiotropic measures, whose task - to eliminate the root cause of pain in the shoulder joint. 
2. Symptomatic treatment, whose task is to maximally anesthetize and neutralize any discomfort caused by the disease. 
3. Restorative measures or rehabilitation aimed at resuming normal activity of the shoulder joint.

Ointment for pain in the shoulder joint

As a first aid, and also during the rehabilitation period, a specially selected ointment with pain in the shoulder joint can be of invaluable help. Gel and ointment can significantly improve blood circulation in the affected area, stop pain in the shoulder, relieve inflammation and swelling, and also activate the restoration of atrophied tissues. The external remedy should be selected depending on the nature of the pain and the period of the disease. If the shoulder is injured, the ointment with pain in the shoulder joint should have a cooling effect. A good effect will be a gel containing essential oils of mint or ointment, which includes menthol and novocaine. This is the first rule of care in any injury, when the damaged area is immobilized and cold applied. Starting from the second day the external preparation should be either anti-inflammatory or warming. Any ointment with pain in the shoulder joint should have a light consistency, so it will more easily penetrate into the tissues and will work more efficiently. The composition of the agents may be varied, but the most effective are preparations containing ibuprofen, diclofenac, methyl salicylate. The warming, blood-improving tissues of ointments, as a rule, contain extracts from irritating components, therefore the integuments should be clean, without wounds and cuts. The most effective ointment with pain in the shoulder joint, which is applied two to three times a day. Recommended remedies are Diclofenac Gel, Indomethacin, Voltaren, Ketonal.

What should I do if I have pain in the shoulder joint?

General recommendations for those who have pain in the shoulder joint are: 

• Provide a fairly rigid bed, a flat horizontal surface. 
• Limit the movement of the shoulder (immobilization). The hand should not be immobilized in order to avoid contracture. 
• The first day after the appearance of pain shows cold - cold compresses (ice). 
• After cold packs, starting from the second day, you can apply warming procedures, rubbing. 
• With severe pain, you can take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - ibuprofen, diclofenac. Also shown are external means containing these components - ointments, gels.

Pain in the shoulder joint requires medical attention because it is a nonspecific symptom. In order to avoid the development of a serious disease that can be missed when trying to independently treat the shoulder, you need to contact a surgeon, an orthopedist or simply a treating local doctor.