The shoulder is a joint in our bodies that’s mostly comprised of the upper arm – called the humerus – and the shoulder blade – called the scapula. Besides the humerus and scapula, the collarbone – called the clavicle – and a small bone that arises from the scapula, called the acromion, are also part of the shoulder region. Problems with any of these four bones, or the tendons and muscles that attach to them, can lead to shoulder pain. Shoulder problems happen relatively often because the shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. Being movable helps the shoulder to have a lot of function and flexibility, but it also makes it a rather unstable joint that is prone to problems.
Shoulder problems include things like dislocations, sprains, fractures, bursitis, and more. Each specific problem may have a specific treatment, but there are some broad factors to know about and consider when thinking of shoulder problems in general. Also, it should be noted that some shoulder pain is not due to shoulder problems, but instead due to referred pain (pain that is felt in one area of the body but caused by a different area).
Shoulder problems tend to cause one or more of the following symptoms:
These symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the exact type of shoulder problem that is occurring. For example, a person with a shoulder fracture will usually have severe pain and swelling, while someone with simple muscle strain may have milder pain.
There a several shoulder problems that can cause shoulder pain. These include:
Different causes of shoulder pain are more common in different types of people. For example, elderly people are more likely to have arthritis of the shoulder, whereas teens and young adults are most likely to get shoulder dislocations.
Because there are a variety of shoulder problems, their risk factors are quite broad.
Shoulder problems are often diagnosed with X-rays. If X-rays aren’t enough, your doctor might request that you do more complex scans like CT-scans or MRI. The exact diagnostic test that is done depends on the specific shoulder problem you have.
Although your treatment is based on the specific problem you have, shoulder problems in general are often treated with pain relievers, ice, resting the shoulder, and physical therapy. These treatments work for a wide range of shoulder problems. Other treatments like surgery, casts, and slings are usually used for more significant shoulder injuries.
Not all, but many shoulder problems can be prevented by what is called activity modification. Performing certain motions or playing sports with the right posture and by activating the correct muscles, is very important to prevent injury.