Shoulder Bursitis
Article by John Miller
Shoulder Bursitis
What is Shoulder Bursitis?
Shoulder bursitis, a prevalent source of shoulder pain, stems from the inflammation of the shoulder’s bursa. These small, fluid-filled sacs play a crucial role in minimising friction in the shoulder’s moving parts. When inflamed, they can cause substantial discomfort, manifesting as pain on the outer shoulder, radiating arm pain, and difficulty in activities such as lifting or lying on the affected side.
Diagnosis: The First Step to Relief
Accurately diagnosing bursitis typically involves a thorough physical examination. As a physiotherapist, I focus on identifying a specific range of motion that triggers pain, often referred to as the “painful arc”.
We also conduct impingement tests to ascertain the condition. To distinguish shoulder bursitis from similar issues like rotator cuff injuries, we sometimes recommend imaging tests, including ultrasounds or MRI scans.
Causes Behind the Pain
The causes of shoulder bursitis vary, ranging from repetitive minor trauma to severe injuries such as falls. Overuse or misuse of the shoulder joint and muscles often leads to this ailment. Complications related to the rotator cuff, including impingement and tendinopathy, are also common culprits.
Effective Treatment Strategies
The initial approach to treating bursitis involves managing pain and inflammation. Techniques include applying ice, resting, and using anti-inflammatory medications. Following this, a tailored physiotherapy program enhances shoulder strength and flexibility. In more persistent or severe cases, like chronic or calcific bursitis, treatment may escalate to corticosteroid injections or surgery.
Prevention: The Key to Long-Term Health
Preventing shoulder bursitis is crucial. By targeting the root causes of impingement through specific exercises, we can improve shoulder posture, muscle length, shoulder stability, and rotator cuff strength. Working alongside a physiotherapist ensures that exercises and strategies are customised to your unique needs, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence and enhancing long-term shoulder health.
Bursitis Treatment in Light of New Research
Current research in physiotherapy underscores the importance of early intervention and a holistic approach to treatment. Studies highlight the benefits of combining physiotherapy with patient education on shoulder mechanics, significantly improving outcomes.
New techniques in manual therapy and specific strengthening exercises have shown promise in offering more effective relief and hastening recovery.
When to Consider a Bursa Injection?
Subacromial bursa injection can be helpful to reduce pain. A key aspect often overlooked in rehabilitation is identifying and addressing the root cause of the injury.
For instance, if a rotator cuff tear or bursitis was triggered by shoulder impingement, it’s vital to correct the movement patterns that led to this issue. Simply treating the symptoms without understanding the cause may lead to recurrent problems.
Read more: When to Consider a Cortisone Injection for a torn rotator cuff or Shoulder Bursitis?
Enhancing Shoulder Function Through Exercise
Exercise plays a pivotal role in both treatment and prevention of shoulder bursitis. Recent guidelines suggest incorporating a range of motion and strengthening exercises that focus on the entire shoulder girdle. These exercises aim to enhance scapular stability, which is critical for shoulder health.
Conclusion: Embracing a Holistic Approach
Living with shoulder bursitis can significantly affect daily life. Prompt diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan, including physiotherapy, posture and lifestyle changes, and possibly dietary adjustments, are essential for effective management.
Understanding the causes and actively engaging in prevention and treatment under professional guidance can alleviate the discomfort associated with shoulder bursitis and reduce its recurrence.
Personalised Care for Optimal Management
Remember, this guide offers valuable insights, but it’s crucial to seek personalised advice from a physiotherapist for optimal management of shoulder bursitis.
Related Articles
- Cortisone Injection For Shoulder: Rotator Cuff & Bursitis: It discusses the use of cortisone injections for shoulder conditions including bursitis, providing insights into their benefits and limitations.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: This article explores various shoulder conditions including bursitis, offering advice and information on managing these conditions.
- Bursitis: This page provides a comprehensive overview of bursitis in different body parts, including the shoulder, which could be highly relevant for readers interested in a broader understanding of bursitis.
- What Is Your Scapulohumeral Rhythm?: This article discusses the importance of the neck and upper back in treating shoulder pain and includes information on shoulder bursitis.
- Shoulder Impingement: Causes and Solutions: It explains the concept of shoulder impingement and its relation to conditions like rotator cuff impingement and bursitis.
- Frozen Shoulder: Overcoming the Stiffness: Offers insights into managing frozen shoulder, a condition that can be related to or mistaken for shoulder bursitis.
- Shoulder Dislocation/Instability: Seeking Stability: Discusses shoulder dislocation and instability, which are relevant to understanding overall shoulder health and related conditions like bursitis.
- AC Joint: Identifying and Managing Injuries: Provides information on identifying and managing AC joint injuries, which can be associated with shoulder pain similar to bursitis.
- Swimmers Shoulder: Causes and Remedies: This article is particularly relevant for athletes, discussing causes and remedies for swimmer’s shoulder, a condition often linked with shoulder bursitis.
Shoulder Pain Causes
Common Injuries & Conditions
Understanding the common shoulder pain causes is crucial, as this discomfort can stem from various issues like rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, and frozen shoulder. Our guide offers a comprehensive exploration of these causes, providing insights into both acute and chronic conditions. It aims to equip you with knowledge and strategies for effective treatment and recovery, catering to those grappling with recent injuries or long-term pain. This resource is your go-to for navigating the complexities of shoulder pain and its management.
Rotator Cuff
- 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: 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
- Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder: A condition where the shoulder becomes stiff and painful, often developing gradually without a specific cause.
Shoulder Instability
- 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
- AC Joint Injury: Involves damage to the acromioclavicular joint, common in athletes and after falls.
Bone Conditions
- Shoulder Arthritis: Degenerative joint disease affecting the shoulder, causing pain and stiffness.
- 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
Post-Operative Shoulder Rehabilitation: Essential for recovery, involving tailored exercises and therapies to regain strength and mobility after shoulder surgery.
- 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.
Muscle Conditions
- 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
Referred Pain: Pain in the shoulder that originates from another area of the body, such as the neck or spine.
- 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
- 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.
Shoulder Products & FAQs
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