Shoulder Pain
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a very common problem and is caused by a number of different medical conditions ranging from pain radiating from the neck, inflammation or degenerative change of the shoulder joint, infection around the shoulder or a variety of other conditions that may cause shoulder pain.1
Causes of Shoulder Pain
- cervical spine dysfunction
- rotator cuff tendonopathy
- subacromial bursitis
- adhesive capsulitis
- bicipital tendonopathy
- osteoarthritis
Other conditions that may cause shoulder pain include:2
- angina or myocardial infarction
- bone cancer
- septic arthritis
- osteomyelitis
- polymyalgia rheumatica
- gout
Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be associated with a number of different symptoms each pointing to a distinct diagnosis. Some of the main symptoms associated with shoulder pain include restriction in movement of the shoulder, reduced sensation of the skin of the shoulder and arm, reduced power of the muscles around the shoulder, dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder joint.3
Restriction of the full range of motion of the shoulder joint is usually associated with rotator cuff tendonopathy, adhesive capsulitis, bicipital tendonopathy or subacromial bursitis. Reduced sensation or power of the muscles around the shoulder joint is usually associated with cervical spine dysfunction. Localized pain in the shoulder region alone can be caused by a fairly large number of medical conditions and may require further tests.
Tests for Shoulder Pain
Depending on the symptoms of shoulder pain a variety of tests may be ordered for further investigation of the cause. Blood tests may be used to identify inflammation or infection of the shoulder. An ECG may be requested to rule out referred pain from the heart caused by angina or a heart attack. However the main tests used to investigate shoulder pain would radiological including x-rays (shoulder, neck or chest), ultrasound of the shoulder joint, CT or MRI. Occasionally referral to an orthopaedic surgeon may be made for further invasive investigations of the shoulder including shoulder arthroscopy.4
Treatment of Shoulder Pain
Treatment of shoulder pain obviously largely depends on the diagnosis or cause of the shoulder pain. However treatment for the most common inflammatory causes of shoulder pain including rotator cuff tendonopathy, subacromial bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) or bicipital tendonopathy involve an active program of physiotherapy, analgesics and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs) and rest. If the shoulder pain is severe and not resolving with these conservative measures then a corticosteroid injection into the joint may be considered which can significantly reduce inflammation and pain.5
There are a variety of other conditions that can cause shoulder pain and will require different treatment and interventions if diagnosed.
If you have shoulder pain please see a qualified medical practitioner who will assist you in the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of your shoulder pain.
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References
1. William C. Shiel Jr. "Shoulder and Neck Pain". Emedicine Health. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
2. Jonathan Cluett, M.D. "Shoulder Injuries". About.com Orthopaedics. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. "Shoulder Problems". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved May 2010.
4. Wikipedia. "Shoulder Problem". Retrieved 18 January 2011.
5. Australian Physiotherapy Association. "Neck and Shoulder Pain". Better Health Channel. Retrieved September 2009.
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