Common Shoulder Injuries – Causes and Treatment

Do you have a stiff shoulder?
Do you have intense pain when reaching out to pick up something?
Are you unable to carry on with your daily activities?

If you have answered YES to any one of the questions, then you must see a doctor to get yourself treated for a shoulder injury.

Shoulder injuries mostly affect muscles, tendons and ligaments and usually not the bone.

Shoulder dislocation

Causes of Shoulder Dislocation

• Sports injuries
• Can occur during an accident or fall

Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation

• Minor trauma – if shoulder pops out, should be pushed back in immediately
• If it occurs often, muscles get stretched and surgery may be recommended

Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries (ACJ injuries)

Causes of ACJ injuries

• Sprains due to repeated falls on shoulder
• Dislocations due to over extension

Treatment for ACJ injuries

• Pain medications and injections
• Physiotherapy
• Surgical removal of joint (Chronic pain)

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Causes of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

• Due to repeated use of arm overhead
• Causes bony spurs that trap rotator cuff tendons

Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

• Steroid injections
• Physiotherapy
• Surgery of subacromial bursa with removal of the bony spur

Rotator Cuff Tears

Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears

• Tears caused by sports injury
• Gradual degeneration of muscle related to aging

Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears

• Early ultrasound scanning helps detect it
• Tears can be surgically repaired by keyhole surgery

Thrower’s Shoulder

Causes

• Due to repetitive overhead throwing
• Causes abnormal gliding of shoulder joint
• Leads to abnormal wear of the labrum

Treatment

• Stretching exercises
• Cortisone injections for pain management
• May be advised to refrain from sports till healed

SLAP Lesions (Superior Labral Antero-Posterior)

Causes

• Overhead throwing
• Heavy lifting
• Tackle sports

Treatment

• Pain medication and rest
• If pain persists, surgery(keyhole) may be the only option

Labral Tears

Causes

• Caused by falls
• Direct blow to shoulder
• Throwing and pulling injury

Treatment

• Diagnosed with MR Arthrograms (MR scan with special dye injected into the shoulder joint)
• Keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) is the best option

 

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