Shoulder pain has many structures including the bones, ligaments, tendons, and bursa. Shoulder pain may arise when any of these structures has an issue. Shoulder pain can affect people of any age, but it is more common in people who play sports in Reston and the elderly. The shoulder pain can be acute or chronic. Acute shoulder pain lasts for less than six months, while chronic shoulder pain lasts for more than six months.
The pain can be mild or severe. Severe shoulder pain may limit you from carrying out routine activities. When you visit the doctor with complaints of shoulder pain in Reston, they will take your complete medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor assesses the character, site, and duration of your shoulder pain to come up with a diagnosis. When the doctor gets the correct diagnosis, they will come up with a plan of management that will address your pain. This article highlights the causes of shoulder pain.
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Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation of a joint. Different types of arthritis can affect the shoulder joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when your body uses antibodies to attack its joints. On the other hand, Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that commonly affects the elderly, and it occurs due to wear and tear of the protective cartilage in the joints. The other kind of arthritis that can occur in the shoulder is septic arthritis which refers to arthritis that also has an infection. The signs and symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling, warmth, and inability to use the shoulder joint.
Fractures
You can also develop shoulder pain when you get a fracture. A fracture can occur at any of the bones that are in the shoulder joint. These bones include the humerus, clavicle, and scapula. A fracture is a soft tissue injury complicated by a broken bone, and it can be simple, compound, open, or closed. The presentation of a fracture is the inability to use the shoulder joint, pain, and swelling. An open fracture has a risk of infection which can be severe.
Avascular Necrosis
The bone survives on the nutrients and oxygen that it receives from the blood supply in the shoulder joint. If the blood supply is interrupted to the shoulder joint, the bone can develop ischemia and die. This condition is severe and requires urgent treatment.
Referred Pain
You can also get shoulder pain that is coming from another area in the body. For instance, a heart attack presents with chest pain that radiates to the left shoulder, jaw, and arm. If you develop these symptoms, it is essential to seek urgent medical care.
Injury to the Soft Tissues
The soft tissues that surround the shoulder joint can get injuries that cause pain in the shoulder joint. These injuries include tendinitis, which refers to the inflammation of the tendons inside the shoulder joint. Rupture of tendons, sprains, and dislocations are other causes of shoulder pain that can cause distressing symptoms.
In summary, shoulder pain can affect a person of any age, whether mild or severe. Severe pain can limit you from carrying out regular activities. The causes of shoulder pain include arthritis, injury to soft tissues in the shoulder, and fractures. You can also get shoulder pain from other regions like the heart.
