Shoulder injuries can be caused by injury, strain, or repetitive motion. Common injuries include rotator cuff strains, dislocated shoulders, impingement syndrome, fractures, and degenerative diseases. Diagnosis may require X-rays and other imaging, and treatment may include pain medication, stabilizers, physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgical repair.
The shoulder is a very complex part of the body held together by bones, muscles and tendons. When a person sustains a shoulder injury to any part of the shoulder, it can be very painful. There are different types of shoulder injuries which are often caused by injury, strain or repetitive motion.
A common shoulder injury is a rotator cuff strain, which is a tear or inflammation in one of the major tendons in the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears can result from bursitis, tendonitis, or strains caused by repeating an overhead lifting motion. This type of shoulder injury can also occur from a fall with shoulder injury and poor posture. Left untreated, a rotator cuff strain can result in a complete rotator cuff tear.
Another type of injury is a dislocated shoulder that occurs from a strong pull or push that displaces the shoulder out of place. When a shoulder is dislocated, the shoulder drops out of the socket. With some dislocations, the shoulder snaps back into place unaided, however, in other situations a doctor must force the shoulder into the socket. Once a person has suffered a dislocated shoulder, the shoulder can be susceptible to future dislocations.
Impingement syndrome is a type of injury caused by friction between the scapula and the rotator cuff. The friction is usually the result of inflammation in a tendon or muscle, causing the scapula and rotator cuff to tighten together. Bursitis in the shoulder can also create swelling that leads to impingement syndrome. Impingement syndrome will eventually tear the shoulder muscle if the inflammation does not subside.
If a shoulder is injured by impact or aggressive shaking, the shoulder bone can fracture. These shoulder injuries are common in victims of motor vehicle accidents or in people who have fallen. A shoulder fracture can be a full or partial fracture and involve the collarbone, shoulder, or breastbone.
Seniors often have shoulder injuries caused by degenerative diseases such as arthritis or osteoporosis. People who have these conditions often develop shoulder strain, brittle bones, and calcium deposits. Older people are also at risk of injury due to their age and other medical conditions, which can cause them to fall and injure themselves.
To diagnose shoulder injuries, the person will need to have X-rays and possibly other diagnostic imaging. Depending on the type of injury, your orthopedic surgeon will recommend pain medications, shoulder stabilizers, and physical therapy. Serious injuries that cause chronic pain or don’t heal may require steroid injections and surgical repair of the shoulder.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
