Numerous reasons can contribute to shoulder pain. One of the most common reasons is traumatic events like falling on the shoulder or being involved in vehicle accidents. But, pain may also develop in the shoulder area even without an injury.
Dr Chandra Sekhar, a Shoulder Specialist in Hyderabad, has extensive experience diagnosing and treating many shoulder pain problems. As soon as you notice symptoms of shoulder pain, get treatment immediately. Early treatment can relieve your pain and restore your quality of life and prevent your shoulder problems from getting worse.
You can develop shoulder pain without incurring an injury if you suffer from any following causes.
Arthritis
Arthritis can occur in various ways, and some of them involve joint inflammation such as the shoulder, knee, hip, etc. Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are two common arthritis forms that affect the shoulder without any previous injury.
Osteoarthritis
This “wear and tear” condition affects the smooth cartilage covering the bony ends where the joint is formed. Cartilage is responsible for smooth movement between bones. But with osteoarthritis conditions, the cartilage wears away and results in friction, i.e., the bones rub against one another.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that affects the lining of the joint, or synovium, also called the synovial membrane, a soft tissue that helps to move the joint easier. Unlike OA, RA tends to be an autoimmune disease. In this case, it means the body is attacking itself, and that’s what happened to the synovium. This condition tends to affect multiple joints, most commonly both shoulders.
Bursitis
A bursa is a thin sac-like structure found throughout your body. Their job is to keep soft tissue, such as skin, tendons, and ligaments, from rubbing against bone. They serve as cushions to prevent soft tissue (skin, tendons, and ligaments) from rubbing against bones.
However, bursas can become inflamed or irritated if they experience too much friction. Occasionally, this results in the bursa becoming thick and fluid leaking out. Sometimes, it may be infected as well. Bursitis most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Adhesive capsulitis
This is popularly known as frozen shoulder, in which you may feel shoulder stiffness and pain. The shoulder pain is caused by the thickening and tightening of the connective tissue around the joint, resulting in restricted movement and function.
Frozen shoulder problems can affect anyone, but it’s more commonly observed in women over 40 years of age. Diabetic people and people who have decreased shoulder mobility or are immobilized for an extended period.
Rotator cuff tears
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons responsible for holding the upper arm bone to your shoulder socket. They help your arm to raise and rotate. Rotator cuff tears are commonly caused due to a traumatic event. However, the tears can also develop over time due to wear and tear. These rotator cuff tears are often regarded as degenerative tears that are common with age and typically occur in one’s dominant arm.
Spine or disc issues
Although it may seem unlikely, it’s possible to have shoulder pain that didn’t originate from your shoulder. The pain may be a symptom of other problems related to your spine or intervertebral discs. For instance, in the case of a herniated disc, pain may radiate into your shoulder or arm from your neck or upper back.
In addition, people may also experience shoulder pain due to various health issues such as pneumonia, pancreatitis, gall bladder stones, and a heart attack.
Treatment for shoulder pain without injury
By using the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options, we can determine the underlying cause of shoulder pain. The surgeon creates a personalized treatment plan for your specific shoulder problem by evaluating your physical health and other test results.
The treatment depends on the underlying cause and its severity. It ranges from rest, stretching exercises, activity modifications, and medications like anti-inflammatory drugs & corticosteroid injections to shoulder surgery if necessary.
At Hyderabad Shoulder Clinic, your consultation, evaluation, and treatment are done by a highly qualified shoulder specialist in Hyderabad, Dr Chandra Sekhar. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, schedule an appointment with the doctor.
