Shoulder Pain

Presented here are several possible causes of shoulder pain and their symptoms*, listed in order of frequency of cases:



Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the top end of the upper arm bone. Together, they form a "cuff" that both holds the arm in place and allows it to move. While the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints, it’s also somewhat weak. Too much stress – or too many fastballs – can tear and swell the tendons of the rotator cuff. It may even cause a tendon to snap. Rotator cuff tears are sometimes incorrectly called "rotary cuff tears."

You can get a rotator cuff tear by

  • Falling on your shoulder.
  • Using an arm to break a fall.
  • Lifting heavy weights.

SLAP Tear

A SLAP tear is a specific kind of injury to your shoulder.

To help make your shoulder more stable, there is a ring of firm tissue, called the labrum, around your shoulder socket. The labrum (say "LAY-brum") helps keep your arm bone in the shoulder socket.

SLAP stands for "superior labrum, anterior to posterior"-in other words, "the top part of the labrum, from the front to the back." It refers to the part of the labrum that is injured, or torn, in a SLAP injury.



Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of the tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle.

Tendinitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, or from a sudden more serious injury.

There are many activities that can cause Tendinitis, including:

  • Gardening
  • Raking
  • Carpentry
  • Shoveling
  • Painting
  • Scrubbing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Skiing
  • Throwing and pitching

Shoulder Impingement

Impingement syndrome is a common condition affecting the shoulder often seen in aging adults. This condition is closely related to shoulder bursitis and rotator cuff Tendinitis. These conditions may occur alone or in combination.

When an injury occurs to the rotator cuff muscles, which encase the shoulder joint, they respond by swelling. However, because the rotator cuff muscles are surrounded by bone, when they swell a series of other events occur.

The pressure within the muscles increases, which results in compression and loss of blood flow in the small blood vessels. When the blood flow decreases, the muscle tissue begins to fray like a rope. Motions such as reaching up behind the back or reaching up overhead to put on a coat or blouse, for example, may cause pain.



Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder that may follow an injury. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become difficult and painful.

Frozen shoulder can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or arthritis. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to maintain full range of motion.



*These listed causes and symptoms are only a small fraction of the entire range of potential causes of pain. Your pain may be caused by a different condition from the ones listed. Your OMPT specialist will be able to assist you – call OMPT today to schedule an appointment: (248) 353-1234

All information on symptoms courtesy of WebMD (www.webmd.com)



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