Rotator Cuff Injuries
A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, which can affect shoulder movement and stability. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their associated tendons: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles and tendons work together to stabilize the shoulder and allow for a wide range of arm movements.
Causes
- Acute Injury: Sudden trauma, such as falling on an outstretched arm or lifting something too heavy.
- Repetitive Motion: Activities that require repetitive shoulder movements, such as painting, swimming, or thowing.
- Degenerative Treatments: Age-related wear and tear, leading to tendon degeneration and increased susceptibility to injury.
- Poor Posture: Chronic poor posture can strain the rotator cuff muscles and tendons.
Symptoms
- Shoulder Pain: Especially when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected side.
- Weakness: Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm.
- Limited Range Of Motion: Stiffness and reduced ability to move the shoulder.
- Crackling Sensation: A popping or crackling sensation when moving the shoulder.
Types Of Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often due to overuse or repetitive strain.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction) in the shoulder.
- Tears: Can be partial or complete, where the tendon is frayed or completely severed. Tears can occur due to acute injury or degenerative changes over time.
Shoulder Dislocation/Instability
Shoulder dislocation and instability refer to conditions where the shoulder joint is not properly aligned, leading to pain, weakness, and potential damage to the joint structures.
Causes
- Trauma: Direct blow to the shoulder or a fall onto an outstretched arm. straightening, such as running, cycling, hiking, or prolonged walking.
- Sports Injuries: Common in contact sports or activities involving overhead movements.
- Accidents: Such as car accidents or falls.
- Repetitive Overhead Activities: Sports like swimming, tennis, or baseball.
- Genetic Factors: Loose ligaments or joint hypermobility syndromes.
- Previous Dislocations: Can weaken the joint, leading to chronic instability.
Symptoms
- Severe Pain: Immediately following the injury.
- Visible Deformity: The shoulder may appear visibly out of place.
- Swelling & Bruising: Around the shoulder joint.
- Inability to move the arm: Due to pain and the dislocation.
- Numbness or tingling: In the arm or hand, indicating potential nerve involvement.
- Repeated Dislocations: The shoulder frequently feels like it's slipping out of place.
- Pain & Discomfort: Especially during specific movements or activities.
- Weakness: In the shoulder, making it difficult to perform certain tasks.
- Catching or popping sensation: When moving the shoulder
Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. This condition typically develops gradually, worsens over time, and then slowly improves. It can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life.
Causes
The exact causes of frozen shoulder are not fully understood, but it involves inflammation and tightening of the joint capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint. Potential risk factors include:
- Injury or surgery: Shoulder immobilization after injury or surgery can lead to frozen shoulder.
- Diabetes: Higher risk, although the reason is unclear.
- Thyroid disorders: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can increase risk.
- Age & gender: Most common in people aged 40 to 60, and more prevalent in women.
- Other conditions: Cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, and certain autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms
- Pain: Persistent and worsening pain in the shoulder, often radiating to the upper arm.
- Stiffness: Marked decrease in the ability to move the shoulder, both actively and passively.
- Limited range of motion: Difficulty performing everyday activities that involve shoulder movement.
Biceps Tendinitis
Biceps tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder and elbow. It typically affects the long head of the biceps tendon, which attaches the biceps muscle to the top of the shoulder socket. This condition can cause pain and discomfort in the front of the shoulder and down the arm, often worsening with activity.
Causes
- Repetitive Motion: Overuse from activities that involve repetitive overhead movements, such as swimming, tennis, baseball, and weightlifting.
- Age-related degeneration: Tendons lose elasticity and strength with age, making them more susceptible to injury
- Shoulder Impingement: When the space where the tendon passes through the shoulder becomes narrowed, it can lead to irritation and inflammation.
- Injury: Acute trauma or sudden injury can also cause biceps tendinitis.
- Poor posture: Chronic poor posture can contribute to tendon irritation.
Symptoms
- Pain: A deep, aching pain in the front of the shoulder, which may radiate down the arm.
- Tenderness: Pain and tenderness when pressing on the biceps tendon in the front of the shoulder.
- Weakness: Weakness in the shoulder and arm, particularly when lifting objects or performing overhead activities.
- Limited range of motion: Stiffness and decreased range of motion in the shoulder.
- Popping Sensation: A clicking or popping sensation in the shoulder when moving the arm.