Lack of exercise, overuse or inflammation in the shoulder area can trigger chronic shoulder pain. If the affected person does nothing about it, the underlying causes can lead to irreversible wear and tear. However, treatment in collaboration with orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists alleviates the discomfort and often leads to a cure for chronic shoulder pain.
What is chronic shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain is caused by a malfunction or overuse of joints, muscles and tendons. It is not the bones of the shoulder that are affected, but surrounding soft tissues. Chronic shoulder pain is pain in the shoulder that develops over a long period of time or lasts longer than four weeks. Shoulder pain is caused by a malfunction or overuse of joints, muscles and tendons. It is not the bones of the shoulder that are affected, but surrounding soft tissues. The affected person’s movements are restricted, so that he or she is sometimes no longer able to perform everyday activities. Because he or she can only move the shoulder to a limited extent, there are restrictions in both private and professional life.
Causes
Because of its large range of motion, the shoulder joint is prone to wear and injury. While the range of motion gives the shoulder its tremendous mobility, it also makes it unstable. Surrounding soft tissues stabilize the shoulder. Therefore, functional weakness in the area of these soft tissues is a common cause of chronic shoulder pain. In general, inflammation of the soft tissues that stabilize the shoulder leads to chronic shoulder pain. Inflammations can affect the tendons, bursae or the shoulder joint. In the so-called narrowing syndrome (impingement syndrome), pain occurs during certain movements. The cause is soft tissue that abuts the acromion or is trapped underneath. Overloading can cause tendon attachments or the shoulder joint to become inflamed. An inflamed shoulder joint sometimes progresses to a chronic shoulder joint inflammation, the so-called frozen shoulder. In addition to overloads, the constriction syndrome, lack of exercise and/or capsulitis lead to this frozen shoulder. Overloading also promotes joint wear, so that arthrosis can develop. This triggers chronic shoulder pain. Congenital deviations in the shoulder joint sometimes trigger habitual dislocation. This means that the head of the humerus repeatedly steps out of the shoulder socket, resulting in chronic pain. Repeatedly hardened muscles and tension lead to chronic shoulder pain. Stress, lack of exercise, one-sided loads and/or an unfavorable posture promote the occurrence of tension.
Diseases with this symptom
- Bursitis
- Acromioclavicular joint dislocation
- Luxation
- Tendon pain
- Shoulder-Arm Syndrome
- Rotator cuff rupture
- Shoulder joint inflammation
- Impingement syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
Diganosis and progression
Chronic shoulder pain requires a thorough history from an orthopedic surgeon. He will ask the affected person about shoulder injuries. He will also ask about the duration and exact nature of the pain, as well as find out what [[movement restriction[[s the affected person suffers from. Statements about occupational or sports-related risk factors give the doctor clues about the cause of the pain. The anamnesis is followed by a physical examination of the patient. An orthopedist can localize the cause of chronic shoulder pain with a variety of tests. In general, chronic shoulder pain can be better cured if it is treated early. If a shoulder joint is permanently overloaded, it will lead to irreversible wear and tear. Joints that are already worn out cause pain that therapy cannot eliminate, but it can alleviate. Pain caused by tense muscles results in a milder form of discomfort. Treatment can lead to complete healing.
Complications
Chronic shoulder pain not infrequently leads to some complications due to its permanent occurrence. First, the constant overuse puts the patient at risk of presenting irreparable joint wear and tear, which, depending on the duration and intensity of symptoms, can spread to adjacent areas of the body such as the upper arm bones.This can greatly reduce the mobility of the arms. The pain itself also brings complications. The discomfort often spreads to the arms, neck and chest area, where it leads to tension and cramps . If the chronic shoulder pain is the result of an illness or injury, further complications can occur. Damage to the rotator cuff, for example, shifts from the shoulder blade to the head of the humerus, making normal rotational movements with the head impossible. Shoulder pain as a result of an exacerbated bursitis is a serious sign, as further infections and serious conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can develop without treatment. Chronic shoulder pain can also have less serious consequences and only lead to temporary stiffness of muscles and joints. As a result of chronic shoulder pain, it is also common to develop what is known as “frozen shoulder,” a condition in which the joint capsule becomes stuck due to inflammation, which in turn causes the shoulder to stiffen. In extreme cases, this leads to paralysis of the shoulder and pain in the neighboring regions of the body at night.
When should you see a doctor?
Chronic shoulder pain is often the result of tension. As harmless complaints, they can be treated well with home remedies. Rest and heat are appropriate therapy. Chronic shoulder pain due to wear and tear, as a result of which arthrosis has developed, makes it necessary to visit an orthopedist. He can find out the exact cause after an X-ray or MRI examination. Soft tissues can also be well imaged with a sonography. Shoulder pain often occurs after accidents. A fall on the outstretched arm can result in a stretched ligament, a torn ligament, or a bony injury. A spontaneous pain caused by an injury should always be a reason to see the doctor. If acute pain has been ignored, chronic discomfort will develop and sufferers will become accustomed to it over time. Chronic shoulder pain is only perceived diffusely and is therefore often played down. But when the shoulder becomes unstable and the arm can hardly be moved, the person concerned must do something about it. A distinction is made between shoulder pain radiating from the neck and shoulder pain starting deep in the armpit. Muscle weakness and numbness always indicate neurological deficits and must be treated. There are many therapeutic options for shoulder complaints, depending on the severity of the underlying disease. They range from homeopathic mud packs and infrared radiation to cortisone injections and surgery.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on the cause of chronic shoulder pain, treatment may be successful in conjunction with lifestyle changes for the sufferer. If there is inflammation of the soft tissues around the shoulder joint, an orthopedist will prescribe pain medication as well as anti-inflammatory medications. Targeted physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles, chiropractic and acupuncture support the effect of the medication. For injuries and fractures around the shoulder joint, immobilization of the shoulder helps it heal. Physical therapy may be used to supplement shoulder rest. A doctor usually treats chronic shoulder joint inflammation that leads to a frozen shoulder with physical therapy. In this way, the stiff shoulder gains mobility. Often, the orthopedist supplements physical therapy with the administration of painkillers and medications that relax hardened muscles. In severe cases of worn shoulder joints, only the surgical insertion of an artificial shoulder joint helps. Chiropractic care as well as targeted muscle training help to relieve tension and hardened muscles. Heat cures, such as hot baths, sauna sessions or heat wraps, help mild, chronic pain to subside. In addition, the doctor advises the sufferer to incorporate exercise into daily life and to follow certain rules. A person with chronic shoulder pain should carry loads close to the body and ensure a straight back. She should avoid overhead work, not engage in sports that put a strain on the shoulder, as well as strengthen the shoulder muscles.
Outlook and prognosis
Chronic shoulder pain caused by insufficient physical activity can be completely recovered in most cases.Regular physiotherapy or sports that have a positive effect on the muscles are helpful and can gradually relieve the pain. These sports activities include careful stretching exercises or swimming. One-sided body strain caused by sitting at a desk or PC for long periods of time can also be successfully treated in this way. In addition, measures such as a healthy sitting posture, the optimal sitting height and continuous changes in posture are important for a complete healing process. In the case of chronic shoulder pain, medication can be given to relieve the pain and loosen up the muscles. However, without additional physical change, discomfort will return with discontinuation of the medication. If the shoulder pain is caused by diseases of the skeletal system or muscle fibers, surgery may lead to a good chance of recovery. However, this depends on the severity of the present disease. If psychosomatic conditions are present, the shoulder pain usually only heals after psychotherapeutic treatment. Finding the cause is often a lengthy process. In addition, mental illnesses often cannot be completely cured. Relief is achieved through behavioral changes as well as re-evaluations of experienced fates.
Prevention
Chronic shoulder pain can be prevented through shoulder exercises, exercise, and good posture. For activities performed in sedentary positions, it is advisable to take frequent breaks as well as to ensure that the workplace is set up in a back-friendly manner. During breaks, relaxation exercises for the shoulder and neck area as well as short walks are helpful. Sports such as swimming and water gymnastics provide appropriate exercise. Regular massages prevent tension and muscle stiffness.
Here’s what you can do yourself
In the case of chronic shoulder pain, various measures can help to alleviate the discomfort. One-sided postures and movements should be avoided, as well as cold and drafts. Loads should not be carried on one side. Carrying heavy objects should be avoided if possible. When exercising, stretching exercises should be performed before and after. Physically inactive people should exercise more to relieve shoulder pain. People with chronic shoulder pain who resume sports activities after a long period of time should first rebuild their muscles. It also makes sense to do special exercises for the shoulder, such as those shown by a physiotherapist. Affected persons should pay attention to an ergonomic working posture at work. The work chair should be height-adjustable, have armrests, a neck support and a flexible backrest. The computer should be operated with the arms resting flat. The head should be kept in a centered position, i.e., it should not be bent, hyperextended, or turned to the side. Painful tension in the shoulder and neck area is thus avoided. The shoulders should not be overloaded by incorrect posture. Loosening gymnastics during the break is useful. People with chronic shoulder pain should not smoke and drink only little alcohol. A healthy diet is good for the joints and the metabolism. Cold or heat applications such as ice packs or heat compresses can relieve shoulder pain. They are available at pharmacies.
