Shoulder pain is a common condition that affects many patients with or without neck and back pain. It ranges from muscle tension and stiffness to a complete inability to move the arm. Whatever the degree of shoulder pain you are experiencing at the very least you would probably rather live without it.

Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most episodes. If prevention fails, safe and effective treatment along with guidance will allow your shoulder to heal within a few weeks. In most cases early treatment intervention often leads to the best outcomes. Surgery is often not needed to treat shoulder pain.

If you suffer from mild to severe shoulder pain in Collingwood, then seeking treatment earlier than later is always a good move. The information below is meant to help inform you, but we highly recommend that you seek a professional opinion to properly diagnose these issues.

Causes

Shoulder pain can be caused by one or several conditions involving injury to the shoulder joint or surrounding muscles. It can be isolated to the shoulder joint or it can be a manifestation of back pain or neck pain where the pain starts in the neck or back but travels into the shoulder. Pain that comes from the joint usually worsens with activities or movement of your arm or shoulder, whereas referred pain from the back or neck is aggravated from twisting, breathing or head turning movements, but it is not uncommon to have an issue with more than one area.

Problems within the shoulder joint itself tend to result in pain on the front or side of the shoulder. Pain over the top of the shoulder often involves the neck and upper ribs. Pain in the back of the shoulder under the shoulder blade often involves the spine and mid level ribs. Tightness in any of these areas can compress nerves and cause pain down the arm or even numbness or tingling into the hand mimicking or contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome. The following explains some of the most common conditions that cause shoulder pain.

Shoulder muscle or tendon strain

Sharp and sudden shoulder pain can result from a fall, heavy lifting, or throwing. Strains are injuries to the muscles and tendons and can be extremely painful accompanied by swelling, bruising and spasm. Tendinitis involves the tendon and can also cause a sharp pain, usually on the front or side of the shoulder after repetitive activities such as weight-lifting or repetitive overhead work. A group of muscles called the Rotator Cuff, which wrap around the shoulder, are commonly involved. A snapping sensation around the shoulder with certain movements in a common early symptom reported by many patients.

Holding certain postures such as sitting, sleeping on your side, or typing on a computer can overload the shoulder creating painful points in the muscles. These can be quite uncomfortable and even refer pain down the arm or into the upper back and neck, but improve when you move out of these postures. Without proper treatment any of these conditions can eventually stop you from performing activity, however they all respond extremely well to treatment.

Joint and ligament sprain

Deep joint pain, severe muscle spasms, a recent loss of shoulder range, and a catching or locking in the shoulder can all be signs of shoulder joint injury or sprain. A sudden blow or traumatic over-stretch to the arm can cause a new injury whereas repetitive activities such as throwing can damage the joint over time via small injuries that accumulate into significant pain. These injuries often cause pain during movements of the shoulder even when the muscles are not contracting.

The shoulder joint which looks like a ball in a socket is cushioned by cartilage between these surfaces while the ligaments hold the bones together and deepen the socket. Due to trauma the joint itself can become dislocated where the ball jumps out of the socket or other related shoulder joints can become separated when ligaments are torn and the joint is no longer held in alignment. The severity of injury affects how these injuries respond to treatment so a prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to a positive outcome, but they can respond well to treatment.

Shoulder Arthritis

Morning stiffness and pain is a hallmark sign of arthritis caused by wear and tear over time or a previous injury to the joint. A progressive loss of range of motion is also characteristic of this disease. The cartilage of the joints wear thin while the joints thicken and may develop bone spurs which can create a pinching pain in certain positions. Symptoms are often managed well with treatment, but severe degenerative changes may require surgery so early intervention and prevention is best.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also called Adhesive Capsulitis, is a progressive inflammatory condition that starts with intense pain, commonly after shoulder injury, that causes the shoulder capsule to shrink in on itself. Pain can subside, but leave the shoulder severely limited in movement which is followed by a long thawing stage as function gradually returns. While this condition can resolve on its own, prompt management will be essential to limiting the time and degree of shoulder disability experienced.

Rib sprain 

Sudden and sharp pain in the behind the shoulder blade, or at the base of the neck and over the shoulder, from a twist, violent sneeze, chronic cough or for seemingly no reason at all. The pain limits twisting or turning movements while coughing, sneezing and even deep breathing can be excruciating making it impossible to find any relief. Often referred to as having a 'rib out' this condition's bark is worse than its bite in that despite the severe pain it is relatively harmless. However, seeking a professional diagnosis is recommended to rule out other causes. Symptoms often resolve gradually over a few weeks, but early treatment intervention can speed this up significantly.

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Pain and stiffness over the top of the shoulder and at the base of the neck that also radiates into the arm with numbness and tingling into the fingers are characteristic of this condition. Symptoms often worsen after prolonged desk work or sleeping on the affected shoulder due to compression of the nerve under the collarbone on top of the first rib. While it can have carpal tunnel like symptoms, it responds best to treatment that addresses the cause at the shoulder.

Fractures and dislocations

Sudden and sharp pain in the shoulder after a traumatic fall or blow can cause the arm bone, shoulder blade or ribs to fracture or the ball to tear out of the socket. These are serious medical conditions that require immediate medical care.

Chronic or acute medical conditions

Conditions affecting structures in your chest or abdomen, such as heart disease, diaphragm tightness and gallbladder disease, also can cause shoulder pain. Shoulder pain that arises from another structure is called referred pain. Referred shoulder pain usually doesn't worsen when you move your shoulder. These all need to be identified and treated at the cause to reduce pain and avoid long-term health issues. Even when these sources are treated medically the associated symptoms involving pain in the muscles and joints of the shoulder respond well to co-management.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop shoulder pain, even children and teens, but these factors put you at greater risk:

• Age. Different conditions affect different age groups. Younger individuals are more prone to muscular injuries while elderly are prone to arthritis.
• Lack of exercise. Weak, unused muscles around the shoulders.
• Repetitive activities. Overuse of the muscles and joints of the shoulder, especially in the overhead position, can cause shoulder pain.
• Poor sleeping position. Side sleeping can strain the shoulder muscle and ligaments.
• Smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow to the joints.
• History of injury. History of a traumatic fall or sports injury can lead to early degenerative changes.