Shoulder Pain

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles of the upper arm that serve to dynamically stabilize the shoulder and play a vital role in the shoulder and arm movements.

Shoulder soreness, arm weakness, difficulties reaching behind the back, and sleeping problems are all symptoms of rotator cuff injury.

Although some mild rotator cuff injuries can heal on their own, physical therapy can help ensure you resolve your condition thoroughly and prevent future problems without the need for surgery. However, if surgery is required, physical therapy will be an essential piece of the recovery process!

Shoulder impingement describes a condition where a rotator cuff tendon(s) is pinched as they pass between the top of the upper arm (humerus) and the tip of the shoulder blade (acromion).

Pain, weakness, catching, and an inability to move the shoulder joint fully, specifically when you raise your arms overhead or to the side, are typical symptoms of impingement. It is common to have difficulty lying on the painful side, and sleep is often disrupted.

Although several contributing factors, including posture and muscle weakness, degenerative changes, and osteoarthritis, are typically responsible for this condition. Fortunately, our physical therapy in Kansas City, MO, Joplin, MO, Tulsa, OK, Chesterfield and St. Louis, MO and Metro East, IL can help you with any of these problems!

Tendonopathy describes any problem with a tendon, including disease, injury, or disorder.

Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, including the rotator cuff and biceps tendons. Acute injuries, including minor or partial tearing, can produce an inflammatory response typical of tendonitis.

Tendinosis describes a dysfunctional tendon and typically does not specify the pathological process. This condition is associated with overuse-type conditions and degenerative changes that lead to micro-tearing and pain. These tendon injuries are not associated with inflammation, and anti-inflammatory medications may delay their healing!

When tendons become injured or inflamed, any movement can cause pain or feel weak, especially when you raise your arm to the side or overhead.

The two most frequent kinds of arthritis that affect the shoulder are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both result in deterioration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint. The more severe the degeneration, the more challenging daily tasks become.

Osteoarthritis is common in both active and inactive populations. Although most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause, arthritis often develops after a traumatic event and/or repetitive stresses after an injury. There is also evidence that a genetic component makes you more susceptible to developing this condition. Regardless of how it starts, it typically leads to the loss of articular cartilage, pain, and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to target the membranes surrounding the shoulder joint. Discomfort and inflammation are symptoms of this illness.

Shoulder instability is described as the ball of the shoulder joint (humeral head) moving either completely or partially out of the socket (shoulder blade). The most common causes of instability occur when the lining of the shoulder joint (the capsule), ligaments, or labrum become stretched, torn, or detached.

A labral tear occurs when there is an injury to the ring of cartilage in the shoulder joint. Some labral tears increase the potential for shoulder partial and complete dislocations.

Symptoms of a labral tear may include the following symptoms:

• Pain and/or catching with specific shoulder joint movements
• Typically a dull throbbing ache
• Difficulty sleeping
• Partial or full dislocations of the shoulder joint

Frozen shoulder (aka adhesive capsulitis) is characterized by stiffness, loss of range of motion, and pain in the shoulder joint. Most often, the symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time. Most symptoms typically resolve on their own within one to three years.

If you are experiencing pain, loss of motion, and a constant feeling of tightness in the shoulder joint, you might have a frozen shoulder and need a physical therapist to guide you back to health!