Shoulder injuries are frequently caused by excessive, repetitive, overhead, motions such as swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting. Injuries can also occur during everyday activities such as housework and gardening.
If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, there are a number of signs that indicate you should seek professional advice. If your shoulder is stiff and you have difficulty rotating it normally, if you struggle with everyday activities as a result of your injury, or if your shoulder feels like it could pop out of its socket, you should seek help.
Most problems in the shoulder involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, rather than the bones. Athletes are especially susceptible to shoulder problems, which can develop slowly through repetitive, intensive training routines.
Some people will have a tendency to ignore shoulder pain, but this can exacerbate the problem and can cause more damage.
Shoulder problems are generally caused by instability, impingement, or rotator cuff injuries.
Instability injuries are caused when the shoulder joint moves or is forced out of its normal position. This can result in dislocation, and when the arm is lifted the sufferer will experience pain and may feel like the shoulder is slipping out of place.
Impingement is caused by excessive rubbing of the shoulder muscles against the top part of the shoulder blade. This can be caused by excessive overhead arm motion. If you experience inflammation you should seek immediate medical advice as this can lead to a more serious injury.
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that hold the bones of the shoulder joint together. Rotator cuff muscles allow the arm to be lifted. When the rotator cuff is injured, people sometimes do not recover full shoulder function and this can affect their ability to participate in an athletic activity.
Early detection and treatment are key to preventing serious shoulder injuries. Gentle exercises will also help strengthen the shoulder muscles and help to prevent injury.
If you feel you need help with treating an injury, Peter Forde Physical Injury Therapy Clinic can help with assessment and treatment. For more information contact Peter Forde on 087 6199284 or email [email protected].
