Common Shoulder Injuries and Treatment Options

Every year, millions of people of all ages seek medical attention for shoulder issues such as inflammation, sprains and strains, arthritis, impingement, and fractures.

Swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting are all sports that frequently result in shoulder problems due to excessive, repetitive overhead action. Injuries can also occur when performing routine domestic tasks such as washing the walls, hanging curtains, and gardening.

You should seek the advice of an orthopedic surgeon to determine the severity of your problem and the possibility of having a shoulder injury.

Common Shoulder Injuries

The majority of shoulder issues involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons rather than the bones. A fracture or break of the humerus (arm bone) or glenoid (shoulder socket) that includes the shoulder bones occurs occasionally.

Athletes are especially vulnerable to shoulder injuries. They may occur as a result of repetitive and intense training routines that place stress on the numerous soft tissue structures (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) of the shoulder.

Orthopedic surgeons classify shoulder injuries into the following categories.

Instability

A ball-and-socket joint is a shoulder. It can become unstable if the ball desires to fall out of the socket owing to being "loose-jointed" or if the shoulder is injured. This is known as instability, and it can lead to a dislocation of one of the shoulder joints. People with shoulder instability may experience pain when moving their arms or avoid motions that cause the shoulder to fall out of place.

Impingement

Impingement is produced by excessive rubbing of the shoulder muscles against the acromion and coracoid bones of the shoulder blade.

Impingement issues might arise during activities that demand a lot of overhead arm mobility. Seek medical attention right away if you have shoulder inflammation, as it could progress to a more serious injury. Repetitive rubbing of the muscles on the bone can cause tendinitis, a type of inflammation, and even tears that may require surgery in the future.

Stiffness

Shoulders that have been injured may become stiff. This type of injury can result in a condition known as adhesive capsulitis, often known as a frozen shoulder.

If there are no tears in the shoulder structures following an accident, it is critical to avoid long periods of immobility in a sling and to begin physical therapy to prevent the development of a frozen shoulder. This can be highly painful and long-lasting damage.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

One of the most critical shoulder components is the rotator cuff. It is made up of a collection of muscles and tendons that connect the bones of the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff muscles enable you to raise your arm and reach overhead.

A rotator cuff injury can arise as a result of direct trauma or through regular aging wear and tear.

When the rotator cuff is damaged, people may not fully recover the shoulder function required to participate in an athletic activity. They may also experience pain, loss of mobility, or weakness not alleviated by non-surgical therapy.

Treatment of Shoulder Injuries

The key to preventing major shoulder injuries is early detection.

Shoulder Exercises

Many injuries can be managed safely without requiring surgery. An orthopedic specialist will frequently recommend a set of exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles. In addition to a formal supervised physical therapy program, a popular home exercise regimen can be used.

Here are some simple shoulder exercises you may take to strengthen your shoulders and avoid injury.

Basic shoulder strengthening

At home, attach elastic tubing to a doorknob. Pull the elastic tubing gently toward your body. Hold for 5 counts. Repeat with each arm 5 times. Perform this exercise 2 times per day.

Wall push-ups

Stand with your hands on the wall and your feet shoulder-width apart, facing a wall. Push-ups should be done slowly. Hold for 5 counts. Rep 5 times more. Perform this exercise twice (2 times) per day.

Shoulder press-ups

Sit up straight in a chair with an armrest and your feet on the floor. Raise your arms carefully off the chair. Hold for 5 counts. Rep 5 times more. Perform this exercise twice (2 times) per day.

Other Treatment

To relieve shoulder pain and swelling, your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

If drugs and/or physical therapy do not offer help, your doctor may consider a corticosteroid injection into one of the shoulder joints to provide temporary relief of pain, inflammation, and swelling.

Only if patients do not improve with these methods would a surgeon do a more complete evaluation using advanced imaging and discuss surgical options (if you are a good candidate for surgery).

Surgery is individualized based on the specific condition, patient’s age, and desired goals for the activity. For example, do you want to be able to play a sport again, or do you just want to be able to perform regular things without pain and discomfort?