Shoulder pain, an insidious pathology

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 27, 2023

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Shoulder pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

muscle, tendon, capsuloligamentous, degenerative bone injuries,
overuse of the shoulder
age-related wear and tear.

The shoulder is a very complex joint that allows a wide range of movement, but this also makes it vulnerable to injury.

There are different types of pain:

rotator cuff injury type
frozen shoulder type
bursitis and tendonitis type
degenerative arthrotic type

Each of these conditions has its own set of symptoms and treatment options, so it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis in order to carry out the most effective treatment.

Causes of shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors:

sports injuries
repetitive movements,
poor posture.

In some cases, shoulder pain may be the result of an underlying medical condition, such as:

arthrosis,
neurological suffering.

One of the most common causes of shoulder pain are injuries to the rotator cuff.

This is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and can become injured or totally rupture due to overuse or trauma.

Other common causes of shoulder pain include bursitis, tendonitis and frozen shoulder.

Diagnosis of pain

To diagnose shoulder pain, the shoulder specialist usually starts by asking about symptoms and medical history.

The specialist can then perform a detailed clinical test to check the range of all shoulder movements (ROM) and identify any signs of injury and/or inflammation.

In order to make a precise diagnosis, it may be necessary to prescribe further investigations to obtain a more detailed and accurate study of the shoulder joint and surrounding anatomical tissues, such as:

X-rays
magnetic resonance imaging,
ultrasound.

Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, the specialist can indicate and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

How to treat pain

Treatment for shoulder pain will depend on the cause that has been recognised and the severity of the pain condition.

In some cases, rest and ice may be sufficient to relieve symptoms and promote healing.

Physical therapy may also be helpful in restoring mobility and strengthening the shoulder muscles.

For more severe cases of shoulder pain, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissue or correct structural problems.

My treatment plan always involves a precise interview with the patient in order to develop a treatment plan tailored to his or her specific needs and goals.