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The shoulder joint facilitates a wide range of motion and flexibility in your arms and upper body. However, shoulder injuries can greatly affect mobility, making it difficult to perform daily activities and limiting your ability to work or exercise. These injuries can be minor strains and sprains or more serious conditions, such as rotator cuff tears or frozen shoulders, resulting from sports injuries, accidents, or overuse. If you experience persistent shoulder pain or limited mobility in your joint, the Upper Extremity Specialists team can offer a diagnosis and treatment to restore optimal function in your shoulder.
Rotator cuff tear
A rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint and facilitating its movement. A rotator cuff tear occurs from an injury or degeneration over time and can cause excruciating pain and reduced range of motion in your shoulder joint. In some cases, the tear can be partial, while in others, it can be a complete tear that requires surgical intervention. Acute tears happen suddenly due to a traumatic injury or a fall, while chronic tears occur over time due to repetitive stress on your shoulder joint. Factors that can elevate your risk of developing a rotator cuff tear include age, repetitive overhead activities such as lifting weights, and degeneration of your tendons due to aging.
Fracture
Your shoulder joint comprises the collarbone, shoulder blade, and upper arm bone. When any of these bones break due to an impact or stress, it can result in a fracture. The symptoms of a shoulder fracture include severe pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the arm. You may also experience numbness or tingling sensations in the affected area. It is crucial to seek prompt medical attention to prevent further damage to your shoulder joint.
Impingement
Impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff and the bursa become pinched or compressed between the bones of your shoulder joint. It can cause pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. Impingement can be due to repetitive overhead activities, poor posture, and aging. It is common in athletes who perform overhead throwing motions, such as baseball pitchers or volleyball players. Impingement symptoms can include pain in the front or side of your shoulder, weakness when lifting or reaching overhead, and difficulty sleeping on the affected side.
Frozen shoulder
A frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissues surrounding your shoulder become inflamed and thickened, leading to the tightening and shrinking of the shoulder capsule. This tightening can make it difficult and painful to perform your daily activities, such as reaching overhead or behind the back. Symptoms of a frozen shoulder typically develop gradually and can persist for months or even years. They often progress through three stages: the freezing stage, where your shoulder becomes increasingly painful and stiff; the frozen stage, where the pain may lessen but the stiffness remains; and the thawing stage, where the range of motion gradually improves.
Call the practice or visit the nearest emergency room for treatment if you have a shoulder injury.
