Shoulder Pain - What Could It Be

Shoulder pain can be caused by a lot of factors. It could come from a bad fall, an accident, or even a strenuous chore. Conditions such as arthritis can also be responsible for pain in the shoulders. In some cases, conditions affecting other areas of the body can cause shoulder pain. A lot of people feel shoulder pain, without knowing what caused it. This article will highlight the common causes of shoulder pain.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Dislocation:

One of the major causes of shoulder pain is dislocation. This occurs when you have either rotated your shoulder too far or pulled it back too hard. Shoulder dislocation usually comes with a lot of pain and weakness. This weakness might be accompanied by bruises, swelling, and numbness in a lot of cases. In the case of a dislocation, it is important to keep the usage of that shoulder at the barest minimum.

Separation

The shoulders serve as the joint where the scapula (also known as shoulder blades), clavicle (also known as the collarbone), and humerus (also known as the upper-arm bones) meet. Any change in this arrangement causes a separation. A separation affects the ligament holding these bones together, causing them to be out of place. A separation in the shoulder joint usually comes with a visible bump. Separation is typically caused by a hard blow to the shoulder.

Fracture:

A fall or hard blow to your shoulder can result in a fracture. A fracture occurs when a bone in your shoulder breaks or cracks. The collarbone and humerus are the likeliest shoulder bones to be affected in the case of a fracture. Fractures come with a lot of pain and in some cases, bruises. A fracture might leave you unable to lift your arm, as your shoulder might sag.

Cartilage Tear:

The cartilage around your shoulder joint can be torn in a number of ways. It can be caused by a fall or straining the shoulder too much, as well as by heavy force on the shoulder. Cartilage tear usually comes to the pain and inhibits the free movement of the shoulder.

Frozen Shoulder:

Frozen shoulder refers to a condition in which it is difficult to move your shoulder. This condition is caused by the banding of tissues in the shoulder joint. The joining of these tissues is a process caused by adhesion which usually comes about after surgery or injuries.

Rotator Cuff Tear:

The rotator cuff refers to the group of tendons and muscles in the shoulder that allow for the free movement of the arms. The rotator cuff can be torn when you strain your arm or even in a fall. In addition, old age weakens the strength of the muscles in this area causing regular pain.

Other causes of shoulder pain include impingement, bursitis, referred pain, heart attack, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bone spurs, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.