Bursitis of the shoulder (bursitis subacromialis)
Pain in the shoulder can also be caused by the inflammation of bursae located there. This can occur, for example, due to overloading during sporting activities or due to bacterial colonization. Symptoms: Movements in the shoulder are very painful in case of bursitis.
Often the joint area is additionally painful under pressure, reddened, overheated or even swollen. Therapy: As a rule, bursitis heals on its own after a few weeks. Nevertheless, some aids can provide relief.
In general: Cooling before heat. Heat treatment should be avoided in case of bursitis. Cold, on the other hand, can improve the pain, e.g. by putting on cooling packs.
These should be wrapped in a tea towel or similar beforehand, otherwise they are too cold and can lead to frostbite. Furthermore, there are cooling ointments that can also help to alleviate the pain. In case of bacterial bursitis, the use of antibiotics may be necessary.
In general, the joint should first be spared and not further overburdened in the case of bursitis. If, in addition to neck or shoulder pain, pain also occurs in the arm on the same side, one speaks of a cervicobrachial syndrome. The causes of pain radiating from the neck or shoulder area into the arm usually have their origin in the cervical spine.
If there is tension or tilting of the vertebrae due to incorrect posture, incorrect or excessive strain, this can lead to such symptoms due to compression of the nerves running there. A narrow spinal canal (spinal canal stenosis of the cervical spine) can also cause such symptoms, since pressure is exerted on the nerve roots in the narrow bony canal. The corresponding nerves extend into the arm and transmit the pain signal accordingly.
Another possible cause is a slipped disc of the cervical spine in this area, since the protruding disc can also lead to compression of nerves.DiagnosisAs a rule, a CT, MRI or X-ray is performed for radiating pain that is presumably caused by the spine. On the images, the possible causes of the pain, such as a herniated disc or spinal canal stenosis, can be identified. If the examination of the patient already reveals pronounced muscle tension in the neck area (muscle hard tension), physiotherapy is usually prescribed first.
If the symptoms persist, imaging procedures can then be used secondarily to rule out other causes. TherapyThe appropriate therapy is selected depending on the cause of the complaints. At first, treatment is usually attempted with conservative measures.
If this is not sufficient, surgical intervention must be considered, especially in the case of a slipped disc in the cervical spine and spinal canal stenosis. Tension can usually be effectively reduced by physiotherapeutic treatment, massages and relaxation techniques. In addition, an upright posture should be considered. To relieve the patient’s pain, light painkillers can be administered or injected directly into the tense muscles.
