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Contents
  • Common Culprits of Shoulder Pain
  • Traumatic vs. Atraumatic Shoulder Pain
  • Frozen Shoulder: A Sticky Situation

Is Shoulder Pain Ruining Your Day? Discover What's Causing It!

Is Shoulder Pain Ruining Your Day? Discover What's Causing It!

What's This About?

Shoulder pain can be a real pain in the neck, but knowing what's causing it is the first step to relief. Let's dive into the reasons behind that pesky shoulder discomfort.
Contents
  • Common Culprits of Shoulder Pain
  • Traumatic vs. Atraumatic Shoulder Pain
  • Frozen Shoulder: A Sticky Situation

Common Culprits of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can arise from various conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, tendinosis, or bursitis. These issues often result from repetitive motion or overuse, particularly in activities involving overhead actions. As we age, the likelihood of encountering rotator cuff tears increases, with studies showing a significant number of older adults having asymptomatic tears.

Traumatic vs. Atraumatic Shoulder Pain

Traumatic shoulder pain usually results from injuries like dislocations or fractures and often needs immediate attention and imaging. In contrast, atraumatic pain can develop gradually from conditions like arthritis or frozen shoulder, requiring a different approach for diagnosis and treatment. Understanding whether your pain is traumatic or atraumatic can guide the appropriate management strategy.
Shoulder pain can result from various conditions such as rotator cuff injuries, tendinosis, or bursitis, and can be classified as either traumatic or atraumatic.

Frozen Shoulder: A Sticky Situation

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, causes the joint to become stiff and painful, limiting movement. It can develop after an injury or surgery and is diagnosed mainly through clinical evaluation. Imaging might be used to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions, and treatments often involve physical therapy to regain mobility.

FAQs

What's the most common shoulder condition?

Rotator cuff tears are frequent, especially in older adults.

How does shoulder pain differ in traumatic vs. atraumatic cases?

Traumatic pain follows an injury; atraumatic pain develops gradually.

What causes frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is caused by thickening of the joint capsule.

Can older adults have shoulder tears without symptoms?

Yes, many older adults have asymptomatic rotator cuff tears.

Key Takeaway

Understanding the type and cause of your shoulder pain is crucial for effective treatment.
Next steps: Talk with Doctronic to uncover more about your shoulder pain.
Additional References
  1. Willick SE, Sanders RK. Radiologic evaluation of the shoulder girdle. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2004; 15:373.
  2. Haapamaki VV, Kiuru MJ, Koskinen SK. Multidetector CT in shoulder fractures. Emerg Radiol 2004; 11:89.
  3. Singh JP. Shoulder ultrasound: What you need to know. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2012; 22:284.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.