What is shoulder injury and shoulder pain by Solihull, Birmingham Physiotherapist

What is shoulder injury and shoulder pain by Solihull, Birmingham Physiotherapist

Solihull and Birmingham Osteopath and Physiotherapist John Williams looks at shoulder pain and highlights the rotator cuff as a common shoulder injury.

Shoulder pain is very common and shoulder injuries are generally easy to obtain and slow to heal. Symptoms can be varied but generally if you are suffering from a shoulder injury involving the rotator cuff mechanism you will experience pain or discomfort in the upper arm. In many cases the shoulder is not the site of the pain but you will feel referred pain into the upper arm. Many patients describe this as a pulled muscle in their arm.

Rotator cuff injuries are often caused by trauma, which may be overstretching or a sudden jolt or fall that may force the shoulder past its normal range of movement. Other causes may be overuse shoulder injuries such as repetitive movements as in bowling in a cricket match or throwing activities like javelin throwing. Painting ceilings or fences can aggravate the rotator cuff conjoined tendon which will lead to inflammation.

The rotator cuff is a combination of four muscles which merge into a common tendon around the shoulder joint. The muscles consist of the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. Collectively known as the Rotator Cuff, this collection of muscles holds the shoulder firmly in place and is responsible for shoulder stability.

The most common of these muscles to be injured is the Supraspinatus and involves mainly damage to the tendon of this muscle. This is largely due to its location as it passes under the bony acromion and close by the acromio-clavicular joint (AC Joint)

Many injuries of the rotator cuff are caused by shoulder impingement conditions. The shoulder joint has very little space and if a tendon such as the supraspinatus tendon is impinged, squashed or rubbed it will become inflamed. Inflammation leads to swelling which takes up more space in the shoulder joint and now we will have the tendon rubbing due to its increased size. Rubbing will increase the irritation and the inflammation will get worse. The more you use the shoulder the more damage you do.

Lying on the shoulder in bed will wake you up, women will struggle to reach the bra strap without pain and gradually mobility will decrease. GP visits will generally offer pain killing medication or anti-inflammatory drugs with the option of injections of steroidal substances directed at the inflamed tendon or capsule.

What is the answer and how can this injury be resolved? As usual you cannot begin to put right any injury without first formulating a diagnosis. Clinical tests need to be carried out to determine the cause and site of the injury. Tissue causing symptoms need to be identified before formulating a treatment plan. In most instances patients have 2 choices of treatment, firstly physiotherapy which will involve mobilisation and exercises to restore balance in the shoulder muscles and help create more space in the joint. Secondly the patient can opt for an anti-inflammatory injection in an attempt to reduce the swelling thus create the space needed in the joint. Surgery may be an option which can involve debridement which is grinding away the offending bony structure or removal of the bursa. These surgical procedures are aimed at creating more space in the shoulder joint.

Shoulder pain may be caused by degenerative changes at the AC Joint which can create impingement and often be responsible for inflicting a partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon.

Calcification of the tendon can cause severe pain on shoulder movement and patients who suffer from shoulder pain will tell you how miserable it makes their lives. The good news is that there is help at hand and most shoulder injuries can be resolved. Pay a visit to Solihull Back Pain Clinic or Atlas Sports Injury Clinic in Hall Green Birmingham and you will get an evaluation of your shoulder problem. Should you require a definitive diagnosis then an MRI scan can be arranged to determine the condition of your shoulder and likely cause of your pain.

Osteopath John Williams and his team of physiotherapists are available if you need help by telephoning 0121 745 8792 or visit the website www.solihullbackpainclinic.co.uk or www.solihullsportsinjuryclinic.co.uk for testimonials