What are the Common Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Understanding the Causes of Shoulder Pain: A Guide for the General Public
Shoulder pain is a common issue that can stem from various injuries and conditions. Identifying the cause of your shoulder pain is essential for effective treatment and recovery. This article explains the most common causes of shoulder pain and offers practical advice on what to do next.
Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder. Injuries here are a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Common conditions include:
- Rotator Cuff Injury: A common condition causing shoulder pain, often due to repetitive overhead activities.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Inflammation or damage to the rotator cuff tendons, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
- Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy: Characterised by calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons, causing intense pain.
- Rotator Cuff Tear: Involves a tear in the rotator cuff muscles, often resulting from injury or wear over time.
- Bicep Tendinopathy: Affects the bicep tendon, leading to pain in the front of the shoulder.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement occurs when shoulder tendons are pinched during arm movements, causing pain and limited mobility. Conditions related to impingement include:
- Shoulder Impingement: A condition where shoulder tendons are pinched during arm movements, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Shoulder Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac in the shoulder, causing pain and discomfort.
- Swimmer’s Shoulder: An overuse injury common in swimmers, causing shoulder pain and impingement symptoms.
Shoulder Stiffness
Stiffness in the shoulder can develop gradually and lead to significant discomfort. Key conditions include:
- Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder: A condition where the shoulder becomes stiff and painful, often developing gradually without a specific cause.
- Shoulder Arthritis: Degenerative joint disease affecting the shoulder, causing pain and stiffness.
Shoulder Instability
Instability in the shoulder can lead to recurrent issues. Common causes are:
- Shoulder Dislocation: Occurs when the shoulder joint is forced out of position, causing pain and instability.
- Functional Shoulder Instability: Chronic instability in the shoulder, often leading to recurrent subluxations, dislocations and pain.
Acromioclavicular Joint
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint can be damaged, often in athletes or after falls. Conditions include:
- AC Joint Injury: Involves damage to the acromioclavicular joint, common in athletes and after falls.
Bone Conditions
Bone-related issues can also cause shoulder pain. These include:
- Broken Shoulder / Fractured Humerus: A break in the shoulder bone, often resulting from trauma or falls.
- Stress Fracture: A small crack in the bone, typically caused by overuse and repetitive activities.
Post-Operative Physiotherapy
Recovery from shoulder surgery often requires tailored exercises and therapies. Important procedures include:
- Subacromial Decompression: A surgical procedure to alleviate shoulder impingement symptoms.
- Shoulder Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive surgery for various shoulder conditions.
- Acromioplasty: Surgery to reshape the acromion and relieve impingement.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: Surgical repair of a torn rotator cuff.
- SLAP Repair: Surgery to fix a specific type of labrum tear in the shoulder.
- Biceps Tenodesis: Surgical procedure to reattach the biceps tendon.
- Biceps Tenotomy: Involves cutting the biceps tendon to relieve pain.
- Total Shoulder Replacement: Replacement of the shoulder joint with artificial components.
Post-Operative Shoulder Rehabilitation: Essential for recovery, involving tailored exercises and therapies to regain strength and mobility after shoulder surgery.
Muscle Conditions
Muscle-related issues causing shoulder pain include:
- Muscle Strain: A tear or stretch in a muscle, often causing pain and limited movement.
- DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: Muscle pain and stiffness that occurs hours after unfamiliar or strenuous exercise.
Neck Arm Syndromes
Pain in the shoulder can originate from other areas, such as the neck. Conditions include:
- Neck Arm Pain: Pain that originates in the neck and travels down to the arm and shoulder.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated, leading to shoulder pain.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A condition where nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib are compressed, causing pain in the shoulder area.
Systemic Conditions
Chronic conditions can also affect the shoulders. These include:
- Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, including in the shoulder.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that can cause joint pain and damage throughout the body, including the shoulders.
What to Do Next?
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it is essential to seek professional advice from a physiotherapist. They can assess your condition and develop a personalised treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Conclusion
Shoulder pain can significantly impact your daily life, but understanding its causes is the first step towards effective treatment. By recognising the signs and symptoms of different conditions, you can take the appropriate actions to manage your pain and improve your quality of life.
