Common symptoms of shoulder pain include both occasional occurrences and chronic conditions. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause and underlying condition. Treatment options include medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
Common Shoulder Pain Symptoms
Shoulder pain is a common condition that can occur either intermittently or chronically, depending on the cause and underlying condition. It can manifest as pain occurring at certain times or as constant pain. Some shoulder pain caused by certain conditions may come and go on its own, while others may persist. Chronic shoulder pain may include symptoms such as frozen shoulder, arthritis, or calcific tendonitis.
What are the causes of chronic shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain accompanied by limited mobility and discomfort often occurs in individuals who overuse their arms or use improper lifting techniques. However, there are also instances where shoulder pain occurs spontaneously without a known cause.
Shoulder pain is a result of inflammation around the outer area of the shoulder joint, involving the rotator cuff, bursa, synovial fluid, and the muscles surrounding the joint itself. This leads to stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder. Shoulder pain is more prevalent in women due to certain behaviors, such as carrying heavy bags, wearing high-heeled shoes, or sitting for extended periods.
What are the characteristics of chronic shoulder pain?
Chronic shoulder pain can be either persistent or episodic. Some individuals experience chronic shoulder pain, while others can alleviate the symptoms on their own. When moving the shoulder, the pain is felt in the muscular area surrounding the joint. Pressing on the shoulder joint and moving it will cause pain depending on which muscle bundle is being compressed. This may result in inflammation of the joint capsule or the muscle bundle passing through the bone. Severe cases can significantly limit the patient’s ability to move the shoulder joint.
Complications of chronic shoulder pain
Chronic shoulder pain can lead to various complications. For example, if a calcium deposit becomes dislodged and enters the synovial fluid sac beneath the bone, it can cause inflammation. Another complication is the tightening of one of the muscle bundles surrounding the shoulder, making it difficult to lift the arm. This can cause symptoms similar to a stroke, known as pseudo-stroke. The joint capsule may also become stiff and contracted, causing the shoulder to freeze. The affected arm may experience muscle atrophy and limited mobility due to pain. These complications can occur frequently or be associated with other diseases that restrict arm movement, such as breast tumors or heart muscle necrosis. Additionally, partial stroke or isolated arm stroke may also be present.
Chronic Shoulder Pain Treatment
Currently, there are several treatment options for chronic shoulder pain. These include using topical medications, undergoing physical therapy, or in more severe cases, receiving anesthesia and undergoing surgery in the operating room. If the symptoms of chronic shoulder pain persist for a long time and there is significant damage, surgical intervention may be necessary to release the adhesions that have formed in the shoulder joint. This surgical procedure is performed by a specialist in orthopedic and joint surgery.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of chronic shoulder pain should consult a specialized physician for accurate and appropriate treatment. Treatment can help reduce persistent pain, minimize the risk of disability, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
The treatment of chronic shoulder pain is not complicated, and at Phayathai Sriracha Hospital, there are specialized physicians in orthopedic and joint surgery who provide consultation and treatment every day.
Common symptoms of shoulder pain include both occasional occurrences and chronic conditions. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause and underlying condition. Treatment options include medication, physical therapy, and surgery.
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