The Full Story
shoulder pain
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic
Surgeons, 4,000,000 U.S. citizens suffer shoulder
problems yearly. The risk of injury is related to
occupation, age, other health related diseases, sports,
and gender. Abnormal conditions in the shoulders can
lead to limitations in daily activities such as putting on a
shirt, washing your hair, and limiting functions at work
due to pain, affect posture or position of the shoulder
and decrease range of motion. These abnormal
conditions are commonly caused by a sudden stretch or
tear in the muscles, strength imbalance of the muscles,
contusion/bruise, and repetitive motions causing wear
and tear on the musculature. Some of these repetitive
motions can be from occupations or sports.
Participating in physical therapy has shown significant
improvements when treating shoulder injuries.
Shoulder Impingement
Occurs when tissues in the shoulder are being pinched during overhead motions, and certain positions of the
joint. This can cause local swelling and tenderness and sudden pain overhead movements and a decrease of
pain at rest. It has been reported to cause between 44-65% of shoulder complaints weakness or loss of pain
free range of motion is noticeable. Repetitive motions and muscle strength imbalance are also common
causes of impingement. The musculature that helps stabilize the shoulder blade also plays a role in motion of
the shoulder and impingement. The irritation over-time can cause irritation within the bursa of the shoulder
causing inflammation and increase in pain.
Instability/Subluxation/Dislocation
Subluxation is a partial dislocation of the shoulder where the head of the humerus, upper arm bone, slides
partly out of the joint socket. Throwing a ball too fast repeatedly or a quick pull on the arm can cause
subluxation of the shoulder. Dislocation is where the head of the humerus slides completely out of the socket.
Common causes of a dislocations are motor vehicle accidents, falling on an outstretched hand, and sports.
Small children can experience this condition when and adult swings the child by the arms before the muscles
are strong enough to stabilize the shoulder. Some of the symptoms can be weakness, swelling, pain,
numbness and possibly a sensation of pins and needles in the arm.
