The shoulder is the most flexible joint which is made of several tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Shoulder gives the strength for all the maneuvers performed by the arm ranging from writing to weight lifting. Shoulder pain is a common condition that gradually arises due to ageing, over pressure, trauma, or any sports injury.
CAUSES
Shoulder pain can stem from several factors, such as:
1. Poor posture – Rounding of the shoulders, Holding your handset between your ear and shoulder, Sitting in a drooping or lazy posture can cause shoulder pain.
2. Sedentary lifestyle – Working for a long time sitting before a computer can trigger shoulder pain.
3. Trauma or general wear and tear- A sudden injury may occur from a fall or a hit, or any abnormal twisting or bending of arms can cause shoulder pain.
4. It can also be caused due to neck pain, which travels down to the shoulder blades.
5. Regular participation in sports events – If you’re an athlete, overexertion of your shoulders with repetitive, overhead movements or participating in contact sports may put your shoulder at risk for injury.
TYPES OF SHOULDER INJURIES
The most common injuries are:
1. SLAP Tear
The tear to the ring of the cartilage that surrounds the socket of your shoulder.
2. Shoulder Instability
It occurs when the tendons, ligaments, and muscles no longer support your shoulder joints which makes the humeral head to dislocate or subluxate.
It is seen in athletes who participate in repetitive sports like swimming and tennis. The symptoms are a weakness in the shoulder, stiffness, and reduced motion.
4. Excessive strain or lifting heavy weights leads to inflammation and also creates an alteration in the alignment of the tissues and cause irregular movement.
As you age, you are more likely to have shoulder pain due to soft tissue lesions.
Tips to prevent shoulder pain:
- Sit in perfect posture.
- Strengthen your shoulder with the right exercise.
- Limit overhead activities.
- Avoid traumas.
- Follow a healthy diet.
It is important to work with your doctor and physical therapist to help determine the cause of the pain. This can help direct treatment to ensure rapid recovery and a full return to normal activity. Find the best treatment at ORTHO ONE ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALITY CLINIC, BANGALORE.
