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Specialist In Orthopaedic Surgery & MBBS(UK), FRCS(EDIN), FAM(SING), FHKCOS(ORTHO)

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain: Its Causes And Risks

The shoulder is referred to as the joint between the arm and torso, and said to be the most mobile among all joints in the body. Therefore, a normal and physically fit person can move and make use of his shoulders agility in an impressive extent, to the point that he can perform a full 360-degree rotation without breaking a sweat. However, this ability of the shoulder also makes it unstable, thus, causing it to be prone to shoulder pains.

There are several physical activities that require more movement of the shoulders, while some just need the right amount of flexibility. But periodically, regardless of the motion, we experience shoulder pains due to these activities.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

The most common symptom is the inability to move or to fully rotate the shoulder. Sometimes, chronic pain is experienced during night times even if the shoulder is at rest. Another symptom associated with shoulder pain is called "Frozen Shoulder", also known as adhesive capsulitis. This disorder gets worse over time and needs longer periods of recovery. All these signs are symptomatic to shoulder pains and can be either bearable or just about too painful to endure.

Possible Causes of Shoulder Pain

There are common causes for shoulder pain that need to be indentified more accurately as special treatment for each are unique on its own. Aside from the Frozen shoulder which is stiffness and inflammation of the joint, we also have Rotator Cuff Tear where the shoulder weakens, making it hard to do simple movements like reaching and carrying objects. Another cause is what we call Shoulder Dislocation or when the top of the arm bone becomes disconnected from the scapula to the humerus. It is characterized by constant pain that results from the abnormality contour of the deltoid muscle.

Am I at risk?

Just like any injury, once it is acquired and left untreated, shoulder pain could cause one to resort to desperate measures in finding treatment. There are some people who prefer using anesthesia, while others opt for manual shoulder manipulation. Anesthetic procedures are risky because the patient is only adding toxins in his system. The same goes for unsupervised manual shoulder manipulation, which could damage the nerves or the blood vessels.

If the person happens to experience the abovementioned symptoms, he is advised to consult an orthopaedic doctor and/or a licensed physical therapist immediately.

For more information or to book and appointment with the Singapore Orthopaedic Clinic, you can call (+65) 6471 2698. Our hotline is open 24 hours a day. You may also send us an enquiry for appointment.