Acute shoulder pain can seriously interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks and do the activities you love, such as playing sports. If you are experiencing shoulder pain or discomfort that isn’t going away, the first step in getting relief is to pinpoint why your symptoms are occurring. By doing this, you can seek the appropriate treatment.
Acute Shoulder Pain
Familiarizing yourself with some of the most common causes of acute shoulder pain can help you figure out what the root of yours may be:
- Dislocation – The shoulder is a highly mobile joint. However, if it is rotated too far or pulled too hard, the upper arm bone can come out of its socket. This type of injury is known as dislocation. It typically results in pain and weakness in the shoulder, along with numbness, swelling and/or bruising. When shoulder dislocation occurs, the labrum – a structure which helps to stabilize the shoulder – is often damaged as well. This can result in what is known as a labral tear. The presence of a labral tear may cause additional symptoms, including aching and/or a catching feeling in the shoulder.
- A rotator cuff tear – The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. It can be torn suddenly due to an injury, or over time due to overuse. In addition to acute shoulder pain and weakness, a rotator cuff tear is generally also characterized by difficulty lifting things. It can also cause a popping/crackling sound when the shoulder is moved.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome – This condition occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff become pinched between the bones of the shoulder. Often, it happens in individuals who frequently lift their hands over their heads. It is typically accompanied by persistent pain and swelling that make everyday activities difficult to perform.
- Bursitis – Fluid-filled sacs called bursa serve to cushion the muscles, tendons and bones of the shoulder. When the bursa become inflamed due to repetitive pressure or motion, it can lead to a condition called bursitis. Common signs of bursitis include an aching feeling, a swollen, red appearance and/or acute shoulder pain upon moving or pressing on the affected joint.
This is far from a complete list of all possible causes of acute shoulder pain. Hopefully, it provides you with some useful knowledge about common conditions which could be to blame for your discomfort.
Visit Dr. Soffer for Compassionate & Cutting-Edge Shoulder Care
In many cases, resolving acute shoulder pain requires treatment of the underlying cause by a skilled orthopedic doctor. With years of experience in diagnosing and caring for patients suffering from shoulder issues of all types, Dr. Stephen Soffer is highly qualified to be your doctor. No matter what the cause of your shoulder symptoms, he will draw on his extensive knowledge of orthopedics and state-of-the-art treatment methods. He will guide you towards the best course of action based on your unique circumstances.
If you’re ready to get back to living a life free of acute shoulder pain, call our office at 610-375-4949 and schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you locate the source of your shoulder pain. With our help, you can get the necessary treatment and begin recovering as soon as possible.
