Chronic Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint is one of the most over used joints in the body and hence, highly prone to injury. Shoulder pain, caused due to different causes, is a common condition experienced by people of all age groups. Sportsmen, especially, experience this condition on a frequent basis. Pain in the shoulder can be mild to severe depending on the cause of it. Also, it can be differentiated into acute (appearing suddenly) and chronic (lasting for a long time).

Chronic Pain in Shoulder Causes

Injury is one of the most common shoulder pain causes. Any injury or trauma due to fall, accident, blow, etc. on the shoulder can lead to severe pain. Apart from that, the following are the other causes of shoulder pain

Bursitis
Bursitis is a condition when the bursa or the sacs located in the shoulders get inflamed. It is a painful condition that can be caused due to repetitive use of the shoulder joints which result in irritation of the bursae. Pain, aching, swelling in the shoulder are the symptoms of this condition.

Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints. Arthritis can be of two types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and the exact cause of it is yet unknown. Pain in the shoulder, especially after moving it after a longer time, can lead to severe pain.

Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is a structure of tendons and muscles that connect the arm to the shoulder bone. An injury or tear to the rotator cuff can lead to deep shoulder pain. Rotator cuff injury occurs due to overuse of muscles, as in case of sportsmen. Rotator cuff injury is also a cause of chronic shoulder pain at night.

Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation is another painful condition that leads to chronic neck and shoulder pain. It occurs when the arm bone (humerus) gets separated from the shoulder blade (scapula). One should note that shoulder dislocation and shoulder separation are two different conditions and the terms should not be used interchangeably. Top of shoulder pain is the most common symptom of this condition.

Apart from the above mentioned causes, chronic sharp shoulder pain can also be caused due to shoulder separation, muscle sprain, tendinitis, etc. It is essential to look out for all symptoms in order to identify the condition and get it treated immediately.

Treating Frequent Shoulder Pain

One should consult a doctor if he/she experiences long-lasting and frequent pain in the shoulder. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help in chronic shoulder pain relief. Bursitis can turn chronic if left undiagnosed and untreated. The treatment of bursitis involves use of anti-inflammatory medications and using physical therapy. Symptoms of arthritis can be treated with the help of anti-inflammatory medications. There are several methods for dealing with shoulder pain caused due to rotator cuff injury. In chronic cases, use of physical therapy and surgery may be advised to ease the pain. Shoulder dislocation can be treated with the help of anti-inflammatory medications. In chronic cases, a surgery may even be required. There are several exercises that help in getting rid of shoulder pain. Using ice packs, massage, yoga, etc. also helps in shoulder blade pain relief.

Chronic pain in shoulder can be treated effectively, if timely treatment is undertaken. Hence, it is wise to consult a doctor as soon as one notices the symptoms. Take care!