Even simple activities, such as brushing and drying hair, reaching beyond the back to fasten a bra, or grabbing something overhead, can be made challenging due to shoulder pain. The pain can initiate slowly or suddenly, and range from mild to unbearable.
In case a person experiences shoulder pain, it is not always possible to determine the reason. At times, issues in other areas of the body are actually the reason for the pain, which extends to the shoulder. This can occur due to specific neck issues, including disc herniations and arthritis.
Generally, if a patient is experiencing significant pain or knows that they have injured themselves, it is appropriate to consult a doctor immediately to have their shoulder condition evaluated.
Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides treatments for the knee and shoulder to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.
Types of Shoulder Injuries
Some of the most common shoulder injury conditions that a patient may encounter are as follows:
Rotator Cuff Injuries and Irritations
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that tether the shoulder into the socket and enables movement in a circular motion.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), around two million individuals visit a physician annually for problems related to the rotator cuff. A majority of issues with the rotator cuff fall in two categories, namely, tears or inflammation.
Rotator Cuff Impingement
A rotator cuff impingement occurs when there is swelling, irritation, or compression of the bursa (the fluid-filled sac that lies between bones) or tendons in the shoulder. This condition may develop due to an injury. However, it can also occur from general wear and tear from routine activities.
Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff tear will create pain that is similar in nature to an impingement. However, it has one distinguishing characteristic. In case the pain is associated with weakness, it is possibly occurring due to a tear. In case the patient has just pain, it may only be a rotator cuff impingement.
A tear can be partial, meaning that only part of the tendon is ripped away from the bone that it is connected to. On the other hand, it could be a full tear whereby the tendon separates from the bone.
If a patient suspects a tear or experiences sudden pain from an injury, they should consult a doctor immediately as they would require surgery to address the issue. However, if the patient is not experiencing weakness and the pain is not severe, rest and anti-inflammatory meds may be sufficient to ease their discomfort.
Adhesive Capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, develops due to stiffening and thickening of the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint.
It usually occurs in people aged between 40 and 60 years. This condition occurs more commonly in women than in men as well as in individuals with specific health conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.
Frozen shoulder can develop after a tendon tear, a rotator cuff impingement, or even minor injury. This issue typically resolves after some time. But according to the AAOS, it may take up to three years.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery and other procedures.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada.