Shoulder injuries are common, especially among people with physically demanding jobs or who play contact sports. However, if you’re in pain, there are several treatment options. Waiting it out can often worsen your injury. Below, we asked our experts at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre, located in The Woodlands, Texas, to review four shoulder injuries that could be causing you pain.
Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder can be caused by trauma or degenerative diseases, such as arthritis. You may notice pain in your shoulder after falling on an overstretched arm.
Other symptoms include pain that prevents you from putting pressure on the injured shoulder, pain that reappears during certain activities, and limited mobility and flexibility. Depending on the severity of your tear, our team may recommend pain medications, rest, or surgery.
Shoulder tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, and it can be caused by blows to the shoulder or overuse. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories.
The inflammation improves over time. However, left untreated, it can weaken your tendons and make them more prone to ruptures.
An AC separation is an injury caused by direct blows or trauma to the point of the shoulder, causing the clavicle to separate from the scapula.
Depending on the severity of the separation, you may see a bump above your shoulder. An AC separation can cause chronic pain and discomfort in the shoulder if the joint remains unstable, even after the recovery period.
Treatment includes an arm sling to immobilize the joint and anti-inflammatories.
A dislocation is a common injury, as the joint in the shoulder is the most mobile in the body. You can experience an injury that dislocates your shoulder if you fall onto your arm or play contact sports. Having hyper-flexible joints can also increase your risk for shoulder dislocations.
Shoulder dislocations can cause chronic pain because once the shoulder is dislocated, it’s more likely to be dislocated again. In the process, surrounding tissues, such as muscles and nerves, are often affected, too.
Shoulder dislocations are fixed by placing the dislocated joint back into its place, followed by wearing a sling for a few weeks to stabilize the joint.
Don’t let pain become part of your daily reality. With the help of imaging techniques, our experts can take a close look at what’s happening with your bones, muscles, and tendons, and recommend a customized treatment plan that will have you feeling better in no time.
Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office in The Woodlands, Texas.
