The Dangers of Chronic Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joints have a wide and versatile range of motion. We use our shoulders frequently in many of our daily activities, often without even realizing it. It should therefore come as no surprise that the shoulder joint is  where many of us experience pain and discomfort. If we feel the  pain for a short while,  then there’s usually no need for concern. If, however, the pain is frequent or long-lasting to the point of becoming chronic shoulder pain. Then, this is the time to seek medical attention.

Shoulder Pain is one of the most common joint problems and has a variety of causes. Symptoms indicating shoulder problems include pain in the upper arm, around the back of the shoulder, the nape of the neck and the shoulder blade.  Structural problems in the shoulder itself, the bone, cartilage and various tissues, such as the synovial membrane, the tendons, muscles, or the bursa can all cause shoulder pain. Doctors take into consideration daily activities, age and occupation when diagnosing. These things are what helps to determine what classification the patient’s symptoms fall under. If left to accumulate or untreated for a long time, these issues are what can cause chronic shoulder pain. 

In addition, shoulder pain can also be caused by other related disorders and organ malfunction. Moreover certain diseases can also cause pain to travel along the nerves to the shoulder. This includes Ischemic heart disease, tuberculosis, diabetes, thyroid disorders and cervical degenerative disc disease, for example. 

People of any age can begin to feel pain in the shoulders. If a young person is experiencing shoulder pain, it is most likely from playing sports or doing exercises that overuse or require excessive motion. This could have resulted in muscle strain (muscle pull or tear). One could also experience shoulder pain due to activities involving repetitive shoulder motion, or because of an accident or injury. Those of working age or the elderly may feel pain due to wear and tear of the bones in the shoulder joint. They may also have a frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis. 

Today, those of working age have a greater tendency to develop shoulder pain than in the past. Moreover, it is also more likely to further advance to the level of chronic pain due to incorrect movement or use of the body. In addition, the pain could also result from being in the same posture repeatedly for long periods of time. Also worth mentioning is that many people in older age groups are now placing more importance and focus on exercise. As a result, some may overdo or exert themselves in strenuous exercise, exercising incorrectly, or not stretching properly pre and post exercising. This could, thus, increase their chances of shoulder injury. 

Generally speaking, persistent or perpetual pain that lasts for a period of over 6 weeks or more can be classified as chronic shoulder pain. 

If you experience pain for over two weeks alongside an absence of full mobility in the shoulder joint, see a doctor. You also need medical attention if you have symptoms of numbness in the arm, swelling in the shoulder joint or shoulder area, or symptoms characteristic of muscular atrophy. For some patients, these symptoms come combined with other symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. In such cases, you should make an appointment to see a doctor who can help determine the cause. 

If you leave symptoms undiagnosed or untreated for long enough, it can develop into chronic shoulder pain. Over time these will increase even more, making shoulder movement even more difficult. Eventually, it could cause reduced mobility in almost every direction. For instance, you may not be able to, then, fully extend your arm. 

In the case that a person has tendon injury, i.e. tendon tear in the shoulder or rotator cuff, even though at first it may be just a small or partial tear, it shouldn’t be left for too long. It can worsen over time and finally, even lead to the point of becoming a complete or full thickness tear. Obviously, once it has reached this point, treatment becomes more difficult. 

Treatment options for shoulder pain include general treatment of the symptoms, physical therapy, and surgery. Doctors can use these treatments to treat any kind of shoulder pain, from general to chronic. Which treatment method the doctor chooses depends on each individual case. It is based on the cause and level of severity of both the condition and the symptoms. Moreover, the doctor needs to see if the shoulder pain is general or acute. 

Initially, a doctor will usually order rest and immobilization of the affected shoulder, and may also prescribe pain relief medication. However, if pain increases, the doctor may advise physical therapy. He/she may also choose to use cold or hot compresses as well. If symptoms are severe and do not improve within at least 3-6 months, this would be considered chronic shoulder pain. Then, your doctor may consider surgery. 

There are two methods of surgery for chronic shoulder pain: arthroscopic surgery and traditional, open surgery.  The choice of surgical technique and the method the doctor employs depends on the severity and the type of lesion. A major advantage of using arthroscopy is that it results in less injury to the surrounding tissue. This is because doctors can make tiny hole size incisions through which he/she can insert the surgical tools to perform reconstructive surgery. This type of surgery results in very little injury to muscle tissue and other surrounding tendons. It also has a very fast recovery period. 

When symptoms of shoulder pain begin, use of the shoulder should be temporarily suspended. Massage can be helpful, along with a cold or hot compress on the affected area. In the case of a shoulder injury, however, the person injured should avoid massages and use just a cold compress instead. It is also important to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and surrounding areas correctly. Doctors especially recommend doing so  before and after exercising or using the shoulders. 

To know if the shoulder pain has been successfully treated, firstly, we can observe the changes we feel ourselves. Notice any possible signs or symptoms as well as anything unusual or out of the ordinary in our movements or posture. Knowing the probable causes and then taking steps to adjust or modify our posture and motions, or even suspending use of the affected shoulder(s), can go a long way in aiding the healing process. Doing these few simple things can also reduce the risk of chronic shoulder pain dramatically. If, however, you are doing your part, taking all the necessary steps, but the pain still persists, seek medical attention. Your doctor can provide the correct diagnosis and treatment.

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