What is Shoulder Pain?
A common problem that can be caused by muscle injury, joint damage or conditions such as frozen shoulder.
Shoulder pain is not a specific condition itself but it is associated with medical problems such as torn muscles, bone damage and condition such as a frozen shoulder. The pain can vary depending on the severity of the condition and that can also have an impact on the recovery time. In many cases, shoulder pain will subside after a few weeks, however, chronic shoulder pain can last for months and longer which means that the correct treatment is required.
Diagnosing Shoulder Pain
Assessment of symptoms, examination and imaging to identify the cause of shoulder pain.
As shoulder pain is often related to a specific condition, your doctor will ask you several questions. These questions will relate to the area of the pain, how long the pain has been present for as well as the severity of the pain.
They will then carry out a physical assessment to identify where the problem might originate from and what can be done. This will involve moving the shoulder in several directions and examining it for any abnormalities.
You might be sent for blood tests to identify whether any inflammation is present while there are several scans that could be used such as X-ray, ultrasound and MRI.
Treating Shoulder Pain
Treatment aims to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and restore movement in the shoulder.
In many cases, you will be given strong painkillers or injections that can help to reduce and ease the swelling. You may also be given physiotherapy or exercises in order to improve the range of motion and keep the shoulder mobile.
Your doctor might also recommend that you immobilise the shoulder in order to prevent further damage although this is only done in severe cases. As a last resort, surgery might be required in order to carry out a repair to damaged tissue and joints.
Managing Shoulder Pain
Simple steps such as gentle exercises, rest and pain relief can help manage symptoms at home.
If you are suffering from shoulder pain then there are a number of things that you can do to help ease the pain. The first is to keep the shoulder moving by following exercises that can help ease the pain. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers on the advice of your doctor while you can rest the arm on a cushion to help reduce the weight and pressure.
Discuss Your Treatment Options
Personalised advice based on your diagnosis and symptoms.
If you would like to explore whether this treatment is appropriate for your condition, arrange a consultation with Dr Naveen Bhadauria for specialist assessment and personalised advice.
