Pain especially at night | Contusion of the shoulder

Pain especially at night

Many complaints in the shoulder occur especially at night. This is due to the fact that in an upright position, the weight of the arm creates more space between the head of the humerus and the shoulder height (acromion). If we lie down at night, this space becomes narrower and the structures lying there become constricted.

If the shoulder is bruised, structures lying there such as bursae and muscle tendon sheaths can be swollen by the accident and the narrow space in a lying position is no longer sufficient. Their bruising can cause pain. However, there may also have been signs of wear and tear in the shoulder before the accident, such as a calcified shoulder or irritation of the rotator cuff or the long biceps tendon, which now cause more pain due to the contusion and the associated inflammatory reaction. These diseases can also cause pain, especially at night.

Diagnosis

Shortly after the accident event that caused the bruising of the shoulder, cooling can be an analgesic therapy. Cooling can also reduce swelling. It is important not to cool for too long and with objects that are too cold; there is a risk that the tissue, especially the skin, will suffer frostbite.

A good thing is a changing rhythm from 10 minutes cooling to 20 minutes not cooling. Light painkillers such as ibuprofen can also relieve the pain. Immobilizing bandages such as an arm sling are not usually necessary in the case of a contusion of the shoulder; on the contrary, they can cause neck tension.

In addition, the shoulder is then often protected too much and is not moved at all. However, a light movement that causes no pain to the patient, without great stress, is beneficial for healing, since the tissue is better supplied with blood and secondarily the joint does not stiffen. The prescription of physiotherapy can also be useful here.

The aim is not to lose the previously achieved range of motion by sparing the joint and to support the structures during regeneration. As a rule, bruises of the shoulder heal without great therapeutic effort and without consequences. In the acute stage, immediately after the accident has occurred, it is advisable to cool the affected shoulder to relieve the pain.

Taking pain medication is also helpful, but should not be taken for more than a few days without medical supervision. Analgesic ointments can also be applied. It is important in the case of a contusion of the shoulder to take care of the affected shoulder and arm and not to subject them to any movements or strains that are painful.

The pain has a warning function for the body and should not be ignored. If the shoulder is bruised, measures such as kinesiotaping can be used to help. It is believed that Kinesiotaping has a positive influence on the regeneration of muscles and joints.

Analgesic effects by inhibiting inflammatory reactions are also discussed. Due to the supporting function of the tape, the joint is also relieved, which can lead to a relief of pain. Kinesiotaping is offered by many physiotherapists and doctors.

A therapy with Kinesiotape is not paid for by the public health insurance companies. A bruise of the shoulder is a slight injury of the shoulder where the joint structures do not suffer any consequential structural damage. As a rule, the shoulder can be used again shortly after the accident. For this reason, physiotherapy is not absolutely necessary. In the case of more protracted progressions or accompanying symptoms such as tension, tense muscles can be loosened in physiotherapy, and stretching and muscle strengthening can provide lasting relief.