Suffering From Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain accounts for 15% of all musculoskeletal complaints.
The shoulder is inherintly the most mobile joint in the body. It also connects your upper limb to your trunk, relying on the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments for stability. When your shoulder is in pain, it can affect many simple daily acts such as washing your hair, carrying grocery bags, and reaching for something overhead. Learn about some of the common shoulder conditions we treat at Evomotion Health and Wellness.
Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that keep the head of the upper arm within the socket of the shoulder to maintain stability of the joint. They can become strained from a recent traumtic injury, chronic overuse or underuse, impingement of a tendon, or a combination of factors.
Symptoms May Include:
- Dull and achy pain, often at the front and side of the shoulder
- Feeling of weakness in the shoulder
- Worsening of symptoms with overhead activities
- Worsening of symptoms at the end of the day or at night
- Difficultly sleeping on side of shoulder pain
- Clicking and crackling sensation when moving the shoulder
Shoulder Joint Dysfunction
The shoulder complex is actually made up of three joints; the glenohumeral joint (arm and shoulder blade), acromioclavicular joint (collar bone and shoulder blade), and the sternoclavicular joint (sternum and collarbone). They all work together to allow for full shoulder range of motion. If one joints becomes restricted due to prolonged stress on the joint, the entire shoulder will become restricted.
Symptoms May Include:
- Pain and discomfort at the specific joint(s) affected
- Referred pain to the front or back of the shoulder and upper arm
- Referred pain to the side of the neck
- Stiffness and tightness in the shoulder
- Restricted shoulder movement
- Slight swelling and redness
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder can be a disabling condition. It results from thickening of the joint capsule and build up of adhesions. There are three stages of frozen shoulder; the freezing stage, the frozen stage, and the thawing stage.
The Freezing Stage:
- Usually lasts 2-3 months
- Deep, achy shoulder pain that becomes more severe over time
- Stiffness and tightness in the shoulder
- Restriction in shoulder ranges of motion
- Pain at rest and while moving shoulder
- Pain worse at night
The Frozen Stage:
- Usually lasts 3-12 months
- Pain begins to settle and may decrease
- Pain less present a rest but still felt at end ranges of motion
- Further stiffening of the shoulder
- Further restriction in shoulder ranges of motion
- May feel weakness in the shoulder
The Thawing Stage:
- Usually lasts 6-12 months
- Pain begins to improve
- Stiffness begins to improve
- Gradual increase in shoulder ranges of motion
- Strength begins to return
- Slowly able to return to full function
Biceps-Labrum Complex Injuries
The biceps brachii muscle is often known to flex the elbow, however it is also connected to the shoulder through it's upper tendon attachment to the supraglenoid tubercle of the shoulder blade and superior labrum. This part of the biceps brachii helps to stabilize the shoulder, primarily when the elbow is bent. This condition is often caused by overuse through repetitive overhead activities.
Symptoms May Include:
- Deep, throbbing ache in the front of the shoulder
- Referral of pain down the upper arm
- Aggravation of symptoms with overhead activity, lifting, or pulling
- Pain worse at night
- Locking, popping, or catching in the shoulder
- Slight swelling and redness
