Understanding Different Types of Shoulder Pain
We typically don’t think about our shoulders too much until we experience pain in one of them. And it’s difficult to live with shoulder pain since we use them so often in our everyday lives. When painful shoulders occur, small tasks can seem so monumental.
As we age, shoulder pain becomes more common. There are several reasons you could be experiencing this, the most common are chronic pain and a shoulder injury. Depending on the type of pain you encounter, it could determine the injury or disease that might be causing you pain and discomfort.
Common Reasons for Painful Shoulders
Below you will find some of the most common reasons behind painful shoulders. Please note, these descriptions are not meant to replace a professional opinion and if the pain lasts more than a week or pain is severe, it is important you seek medical attention immediately.
We typically don’t think about our shoulders too much until we experience pain. And it’s difficult to live with shoulder pain since we use them so often throughout the day. When pain occurs, small tasks can seem so monumental.
As we age, painful shoulders become more common. There are several reasons you could be experiencing shoulder pain, the most common are chronic pain and a shoulder injury. Depending on the type of pain you encounter, it will determine the injury or disease.
Below you will find some of the most common reasons behind painful shoulders.
Please note, these descriptions are not meant to replace a professional opinion. If the pain lasts more than a weak or is severe, seek medical attention immediately.
Please note, these descriptions are not meant to replace a professional opinion and if the pain lasts more than a week or pain is severe, it is important you seek medical attention immediately.
1. Achy Painful Shoulders
There are several injuries behind this type of pain. They can be described as dull or deep achy pain. At times it can even be difficult to pinpoint. The following injuries and conditions associated with achy pain are often from:
- Rotator Cuff Tear – A rotator cuff tear can cause a dull, achy pain. However, if a tear was caused by a traumatic event, severe pain may occur. A rotator cuff tear is typically caused by the wear and tear of the tendons. However, Sometimes also from a traumatic event.
- SLAP Tear – You are probably wondering where this injury got its name. Well, regardless of what it sounds like, it stands for superior labrum anterior and posterior. This injury often causes achy shoulder pain. It is often hard to pinpoint. A SLAP tear causes pain when there a tear in the cartilage. Typically occurring from an injury such as a fall or a tear which has developed over time.
- Frozen Shoulder – Typically, when frozen shoulder arises, achy pain is felt around the shoulder. Also sometimes in the upper arm. It’s common for pain to increase in the early stages. Then decrease in later phases of the condition. At this time, the cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. However, we do know it affects people from 40 to 60 years old.
- Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis – This is arthritis in the shoulder joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. Meaning your cartilage wears down over time. It’s mostly found in adults over 50. But young whippersnappers have been known to suffer from it after dislocating a shoulder.
2. Radiating Shoulder Pain
At times, an injury can cause radiating pain in your arm or neck. Here are some typical types of radiating pain:
- Arthritis – When you have arthritis in the shoulder joint, it can cause radiating pain to the neck. A common cause is from an overuse injury.
- Rotator cuff tendinitis – This can result in pain radiating from the outside of your arm near the top of your shoulder. Repetitive overuse of your arm is the main cause of this injury. Rotator cuff tendinitis is a typical sports injury such as weightlifting and swimming.
However, some neck injuries can cause radiating pain too. This pain will start at your neck shooting to your shoulder. When this occurs it is due to a pinched nerve and a brachial plexus injury.
Also see, Is it a Pinched Nerve or Degenerative Disc Disease?
3. Burning Pain
Another type of pain one might incur is burning pain. This type of pain is often related to a nerve issue. The most common type of burning pain is bursitis.
- Subacromial bursitis – This occurs when a fluid-filled sac on your shoulder (called a bursa) becomes inflamed or irritated. It may cause a burning sensation or even a dull ache. It’s also typical for you to have radiating pain in your upper arm from this. However, it may not be the only reason you’re experiencing pain. Other injuries could be causing this pain too, such as a rotator cuff tear.
4. Shoulder Pain and other symptoms
Shoulder pain usually doesn’t happen alone. There are normally other symptoms such as:
- Arm weakness
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
Although shoulder injuries can happen to anyone, they are typically more common in athletes who participate in overhead sports, using repetitive motions.
Shoulder pain usually doesn’t happen alone. There are normally other symptoms such as:
- Arm weakness
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
Although shoulder injuries can happen to anyone, they are typically more common in athletes who participate in overhead sports, using repetitive motions.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing shoulder pain for more than a few days. For a preferred shoulder specialist call 888-409-8006. Offices conveniently located in South Florida.
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