Shoulder Pain Causes & When To Be Concerned

If you have ever had shoulder pain, whether mild or severe, you know every time you move, it hurts. This is mostly due to the extensive range of motion and how complicated the shoulder joint is. If you are experiencing shoulder pain right now, let’s look at shoulder pain causes & when to be concerned.

Most Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain

Athletes who use repetitive motion while playing their sports experience the most common causes of shoulder pain. Swimmers, tennis players, pitchers, and weight lifters are all susceptible to shoulder pain. The tendons that make up the rotator cuff can become inflamed by these repetitive motions.

These tendons covered by a thin layer called a bursa become irritated and can develop into bursitis. The bursa sac swells and irritates the nerve fibers causing pain. OTC anti-inflammatory medications and rest from overhead activities usually resolve the issue.

In addition, poor posture working at a computer or using a smartphone can cause shoulder discomfort by putting extra strain on the whole area.

When The Pain Continues

If you have tried the above suggestions for resolving a mild shoulder issue, and they do not prove successful, there may be other more concerning issues. This is especially the case if you are in pain without even moving.

These instances should prompt an appointment with Dr. Samuel Koo for a full evaluation. With constant or chronic pain, an MRI and X-ray should help diagnose the problem. Don’t allow a minor issue to become worse by procrastinating. There are injections and other treatments that can resolve your pain before there becomes a need for surgery.

When Nothing Helps

If therapy does not resolve the shoulder issue after several weeks, and the pain interrupts your sleep, now is the time to be concerned. If the pain radiates down your arm, it could be a herniated disc in your neck causing your shoulder pain.

Night pain could also be due to instability of the shoulder which needs immediate attention. Rotator cuff tears can cause pain during sleep as you roll over and move. A small tear can be treated with injections. It is always best to treat a tear before it becomes necessary to perform surgery.

The message is don’t wait to see a physician if you have pain at night while resting. Don’t wait if you have an acute or sudden injury, or experience any severe pain in the shoulder area. Definitely don’t wait if you experience difficulty breathing with your shoulder pain.

If you are suffering from shoulder pain that has not improved with rest or medications, contact Dr. Samuel Koo at (425) 823-4000 to schedule an evaluation at our office in Seattle, WA.