Shoulder pain can make even the simplest of acts, like brushing, drying hair, reaching behind your back, or grabbing something from a shelf, difficult and painful. Knowing what causes this pain and how it can be treated can help to address the issue timely and prevent further complications and discomfort. Visit Pain Physicians NY Clinic for quick and lasting relief from your shoulder pain affecting your quality of life. Our board-certified specialist, Dr. Leon Reyfman and Dr. Boleslav Kosharskyy can treat all types of joint pain-related issues effectively. They offer the most advanced pain treatment care for shoulder pain resulting from injuries or other conditions to improve your shoulder mobility and make you feel better.

The shoulder is the most movable joint in the human body that combines with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm, from scratching your back to throwing the perfect pitch. Swelling, damage, or bone changes around the rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain. Most of us don’t realize how much we use our arms and shoulders until we feel pain when raising our arms above the head or moving it behind the back to perform routine chores.

Sometimes, shoulder pain may be due to a problem in another area of the body, such as the neck or lungs. It is called referred pain. You will feel the pain when the shoulder is at rest, and the pain does not worsen with movement. As you age, you are more likely to experience shoulder pain from a variety of common conditions. The pain can come on gradually or abruptly, and it may range from mild to excruciating, forcing you to give up so many activities you enjoy.

Read on to learn about some of the most common conditions that cause shoulder pain when lifting your arm, as well as a few general tips on how they can be treated and managed.

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Causes of Pain When Lifting the Arm

Increasing problems with instability of the soft tissue or bony structures in your shoulder can result in pain. You may feel pain only when you move your shoulder or all the time. This pain may be felt at times, or it may be persistent and require medical attention.

Some common conditions that usually cause shoulder pain are:

Shoulder Bursitis

The shoulder joint contains six different bursae that act as a cushioning pad. These fluid-filled sacs prevent friction between the bones and tendons and also lubricate the underlying rotator cuff muscles and tendons. When excess fluid builds up in a bursa, it can become inflamed, causing bursitis.

Inflammation in the bursa can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the shoulder, which leads to a decreased range of motion due to pain when you lift your arm. Shoulder bursitis usually occurs due to injuries, overuse, or repetitive movements such as an accident, throwing a ball repeatedly, or performing the same task for some time, which irritates the bursa.

Shoulder bursitis can be treated with:

  • Giving up activities that cause pain or increase it
  • Icing to reduce inflammation and pain
  • Pain relieving medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to ease pain and swelling

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Calcific Tendonitis

It is a condition that develops when calcium deposits build up within your rotator cuff tendons. It is not clear what really causes these deposits to form, but they may result from a healing process in the ligament gone wrong. Over time, these deposits result in inflammation in the surrounding tissues, ultimately leading to pain.

Calcific tendonitis can occur anywhere in the body, but most often it affects the shoulder joint and causes severe pain. The pain usually starts in the morning. Treatment of calcific tendonitis focuses on relieving pain and preserving the range of motion of the shoulders.

Options include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Physical therapy

In case of severe or persistent pain, your doctor may recommend surgery to get rid of these deposits and prevent recurring pain episodes.

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Frozen Shoulder

Frozen ShoulderIt is a condition in which the shoulder capsule thickens and becomes inflamed, literally freezing your shoulders in place. Also called adhesive capsulitis, this problem starts gradually as the shoulder joint capsule thickens, restricts movement, and causes severe pain.

Having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. The most noticeable symptoms include pain, decreased range of motion, and shoulder stiffness. The pain often begins for no reason and worsens over time. Even the smallest movement can result in intense pain.

Treatment options include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Corticosteroids and numbing medications or injections

Surgery may be needed to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely. It is recommended when non-invasive treatments fail to improve the range of motion and decrease pain.

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Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surrounds your shoulder and holds your upper arm bone in its place within its socks in your shoulder blade. Rotator cuff tears can result from an acute injury or occur slowly over time. A tear can be partial, where one part of the tendon is ripped from the bone it is attached to, or it could be a full tear, causing the tendon to completely separate from the bone.

Rotator cuff tears are common in adults as the interface between the tendon and the bone weakens and becomes more susceptible to injury, but it can happen to younger people too. The pain is similar to bursitis or impingement, but it involves weakness as well. If the pain is associated with weakness, it is caused by a tear.

Treating rotator cuff tears:

  • Resting and staying away from activities that trigger pain
  • Icing the affected shoulder
  • Physical therapy that includes exercises tailored to the specific location of your rotator cuff injury to restore flexibility and strength to your shoulder and relieve stress on the joint
  • A steroid injection if your pain is severe and interferes with sleep, daily activities
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgery, if conservative treatments and injections fail to eliminate pain for good

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Shoulder Osteoarthritis

This condition develops when cartilage cushions between the bones in the shoulder begin to erode, causing the bones to rub against one another. Cartilage gets soft, cracks, flakes, or becomes frayed and eventually wears away. The exposed bones beneath the cartilage begin to grind against each other, which causes inflammation and pain. It usually happens gradually and decreases the range of motion.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is often associated with wear and tear related to aging.

Treatment options for osteoarthritis include:

  • Rest
  • Modification to routine activities to prevent pain
  • Simple shoulder stretching exercises to keep the muscles flexible and reduce pain
  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Application of ice and heat
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Surgery in case other options fail to provide relief

Do not give up movement when you experience pain from osteoarthritis. Doing so can worsen the problem, as it allows the muscles to stiffen and shorten. This can ultimately make it even harder for you to move the way you want to.

There may be different causes of shoulder pain when lifting your arms above your head, and they may require different treatments, but the preventative strategies are similar. Paying attention to your posture, correcting it, and performing stretches and shoulder strengthening exercises can play a significant role in recovery and prevent future pain.

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Tips on Managing Shoulder Pain

There are several ways to ease the discomfort and manage your shoulder pain at home.

They include:

  • Stop the actions or motions that are causing pain until you recover. Give your shoulder and arm some rest before continuing with routine work.
  • Apply a cold pack on your shoulder, at least 20 minutes before going to bed. It will keep the inflammation down and ease the pain.
  • Anti-inflammatories provide the best relief. They can be taken for a few days. Make sure to always take them with a meal to protect the stomach.
  • Continue with gentle range of motion exercises, such as swinging your arm back and forth in a pendulum motion, as it helps with muscle and joint flexibility.
  • Do not immobilize your shoulder for long periods. It can result in a frozen shoulder, which can increase treatment and recovery time.

If you are experiencing pain after a fall or felt a pop when you were working out, a few days of rest and home care help relieve pain. However, if the pain does not improve, takes a turn for worse, or you experience pain that does not have a known cause, you may require medical attention.

When to See a Doctor for Your Shoulder Pain?

If your shoulder pain does not improve after 2 to 3 weeks, you should see a pain doctor. Shoulder pain that worsens or renders you unable to move and lift your arm needs professional care.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

  • Shoulder pain with fever, swelling, or redness
  • Intense pain when you try to move the shoulder with the arm
  • Swelling in the shoulder
  • The shoulder area skin turns red or blue

The doctor will perform a physical exam and closely look at your shoulder. He will take your personal and medical history to understand what is causing your problem. He may order blood or imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI, to make an accurate diagnosis.

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Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

Treatment of your shoulder pain often depends on the factors causing it, the level of pain you are experiencing, as well as the condition you have been diagnosed with. For instance, a frozen shoulder will have a much different treatment approach when compared to a rotator cuff tear.

The doctor may recommend the following treatments for shoulder pain:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Injection of an anti-inflammatory medicine called corticosteroid that provides relief in a few days and lasts for several months, especially if you suffer from frozen shoulder, arthritis, or shoulder bursitis
  • Physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and relieve the strain on your shoulder, particularly if your pain is a result of a rotator cuff tear
  • Surgery if other non-invasive treatments do not work

While shoulder issues are painful, they can be avoided. Experts recommend a range of motion and strengthening exercises to prevent future injury and discomfort.

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Important to Know

If you just had a severe injury and your shoulder is very painful, swollen, bruised, or bleeding, rush to an emergency room.

Sudden left shoulder pain can sometimes be a sign of a heart attack. Dial 911 or the local emergency number if you have sudden pressure or crushing pain in your shoulder, especially if the pain runs from your chest to the left jaw, arm, or neck, or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.

Do not let shoulder pain keep you from living a full life and enjoying the activities you love. Call Pain Physicians NY Clinic today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Leon Reyfman or Dr. Boleslav Kosharskyy for the best advice and the highest quality care to get rid of your joint pain. They evaluate your condition, assess what is causing your shoulder problems based on your lifestyle and the way you do things, and work with you to treat these problems successfully, using the most advanced treatment options and approaches. They ensure you are on the road to recovery and regain full function of your arm and shoulder as soon and as safely as possible.