The shoulder joint is a busy joint and the most mobile joint in the body. The mobility of the disordered joint is due to the ball and socket joint called the glenohumeral joint. For the ball and socket shoulder joint to be so mobile it is surrounded by:
- muscles,
- ligaments,
- tendons
- cartilage
- nerves
If any of the structures are affected by her disease process, pain can result.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder joints involve muscles, ligaments, tendons. nerves and cartilage. This means that if any of these are affected by disease pain can result. The most common cause of shoulder pain without injury include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Calcific tendinitis
- Rotator cuff tears, tendonitis and bursitis
- Spinal problems
Wear and tear of cartilage cause shoulder osteoarthritis. Nerve endings are exposed as the cartilage wears away causing pain. Previous trauma and age are risk factors in the development of shoulder pain.
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, causes stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. you are at risk if no shoulder joint has been immobile for any reason. When this happens in some people the capsule seconds and tightens around the shoulder joint. This causes progressive pain with motion and stiffness.
Calcific tendinitis in his inflammation in the tendons due to calcium deposits.
Rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, and bursitis can occur due to overuse. Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories are the first-line treatments.
Spinal problems in the neck can be a source of shoulder pain. Imaging including MRI can help discover this cause.