Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints. Most causes of shoulder pain are harmless and can be treated with simple home treatments. However, if it does not improve, shoulder pain could be caused by a serious condition that requires further medical treatment.
The shoulder or shoulder is a part of the body that consists of the upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade. These three bones are connected by joints, muscles, and tendons that allow the arm to move in various directions.
However, if you move it too often, your shoulder will be more at risk of injury. This can cause complaints of shoulder pain which can limit the movement of the sufferer's shoulders, neck, and arms.
Understanding the Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can result from an injury, such as when you lift heavy weights, exercise too intensely, or suffer from certain illnesses. The following are some of the common conditions that cause shoulder pain:
1. Injury or tear in the shoulder muscles or tendons
Around the shoulder is a collection of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. The muscles and tendons in the shoulder are responsible for maintaining the position of the shoulder joint and allowing the arm to move up and in circles.
However, muscles and tendons rotator cuff It can be injured or even torn when you fall, overstretch your arms upwards, or perform repetitive movements of the shoulder too often. In addition, muscles and tendons rotator cuff can also experience problems due to the aging process.
Shoulder pain due to muscle or tendon injury rotator cuff can make it difficult or even impossible for you to lift or rotate your arm. The pain or tenderness from the injury will also usually be more severe at night.
2. Stiff shoulders (frozen shoulder)
This condition is caused by inflammation of the tightly attached tissue around the shoulder joint. Shoulder stiffness and pain when moved can make it difficult for you to carry out daily activities. If left untreated, stiff shoulders can last for years.
3. Bursitis
Too much movement of the shoulder excessively can cause inflammation of the bursa (bursitis). A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds a joint and acts as a lubricant to reduce friction between muscles and bones, including the shoulder joint.
Bursitis of the shoulder will usually cause shoulder pain when carrying out daily activities, such as combing hair and wearing clothes.
4. Tendinitis
Inflammation of the tendons (tendinitis) can also cause shoulder pain. Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bones. Inflammation of the tendons can result from overly moving the shoulder. In addition, inflammation of the shoulder tendons can also occur due to aging.
5. Shoulder dislocation
Shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone detaches from the shoulder blade. This shift in bone can occur as a result of an injury, such as a fall or a strong impact on the shoulder. Shoulder dislocations can cause severe shoulder pain, swelling and bruising of the shoulder, and dislocation of the shoulder joint. This condition also often causes immobility of the arm or shoulder.
6. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis or arthritis can cause the bones that are connected through joints to break down. Arthritis can occur in any joint in the body, including the shoulder or shoulder joint.
Arthritis in the shoulder can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulder. If left untreated, these symptoms can get worse over time.
Arthritis in the shoulder can be caused by an injury. This condition makes it difficult for you to lift your arms up or back. In fact, sometimes you can hear a sound when you move your shoulder.
How to Overcome Shoulder Pain
Handling shoulder pain needs to be adjusted to the cause and severity. To find out the exact cause of your shoulder pain, you need to undergo an examination to an orthopedic specialist.
To determine the cause of the shoulder pain you feel, the doctor will perform a medical examination which includes a physical examination and supporting examinations in the form of X-rays, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound, of the shoulder.
After the cause of the shoulder pain you feel is known, the doctor will provide several treatment steps to deal with shoulder pain in the form of:
1. Administration of drugs
To relieve pain and swelling in the shoulder from tendonitis, bursitis, or arthritis, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, paracetamol, and ibuprofen.
To treat severe swelling of the muscle tissue or tendons in the shoulder, the doctor may also give corticosteroid injections to the sore shoulder.
2. Operation
Shoulder pain caused by a severe shoulder injury, shoulder dislocation, stiff shoulder, or muscle or tendon tears rotator cuff, may need to be treated with surgery. Doctors can perform conventional surgery on the shoulder or with arthroscopic surgery methods.
3. Physiotherapy
To overcome the shoulder pain you are experiencing, your doctor may also suggest you to undergo physiotherapy with the help of a physiotherapist.
This treatment step can help restore the ability of shoulder movement and relieve shoulder pain that you feel, so you can move and carry out activities as usual.
To relieve mild shoulder pain, you can rest for a few days, limit movement of the shoulder, and compress the shoulder with an ice pack or ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes 3 times a day. Avoid massaging the painful shoulder because it risks causing the pain to get worse.
Mild shoulder pain usually subsides within a few days. However, if your shoulder pain does not improve within 2-4 weeks or if the shoulder pain occurs along with other symptoms, such as severe swelling of the shoulder, can't move at all, numbness, or tingling, you should immediately consult a doctor.