Pain in the shoulder can arise after a particularly strenuous task or household chore as well as after a fall or accident. Sometimes shoulder pain is chronic, which means it never fully goes away but simply appears from time to time (seemingly at random). Other times, shoulder pain occurs directly after you’ve encountered another individual, whether in a car crash or slip-and-fall outside a place of business.
Depending on what kind of pain you’re experiencing, you may be able to treat and even prevent your shoulder pain at home. However, you may need to see a physical therapist or doctor. So the first step to alleviating your pain is to diagnose the source of the pain and then devise a treatment plan from there, making sure you’ve saved all documentation throughout your rehabilitation to share with your personal injury lawyer.
What Is Causing Your Shoulder or Arm Pain?
First, decide whether or not you have shoulder pain or a possible shoulder injury. Can you move your arm or roll your shoulder? Are you perform your usual daily activities?
If the answer to either of these questions is “no,” then you likely have a shoulder injury. Read on to find out what kinds of common shoulder injuries there are, and what the best course of treatment may be.
If you can move your shoulder normally but are still experiencing regular pain, you’re suffering from chronic pain, which is caused by a variety of different issues. Luckily, these issues can usually be addressed by an experienced physical therapist. You shouldn’t have to suffer on a daily basis.
Common Injuries
- Fracture:Â If you cannot lift your arm at all or have recently taken a hard fall on your shoulder, you may have broken or partially cracked a bone. The most common bones to break in the shoulder region are your humerus and your collarbone. The pain is usually sharp and constant and accompanied by lots of swelling.
- Rotator Cuff Tear:Â People who repeatedly perform the same set of over-the-head motions (either for a job or while playing a sport) are most prone to tearing their rotator cuff, which is a group of muscles and tendons that support the shoulder joint. This kind of injury results in high levels of pain, to the point where you may not be able to sleep or go about your day.
- Dislocated Shoulder:Â If you have rotated or pulled your shoulder out of its normal alignment, the top of your arm can pop out of its socket. Your arm may feel weaker than normal and you likely have some major swelling or bruising.
- Shoulder Joint Tear:Â You would notice a joint tear almost immediately after it occurs. Symptoms include decreased range of motion, pain with movement, and grinding, locking, or popping in the shoulder region.
Common Issues
- Tendinitis/impingement:Â Athletes often suffer from this shoulder issue which causes chronic pain. But anyone can be affected by it, especially after years of wear and tear. With the right care, a physical therapist or other orthopedic experts can usually reverse symptoms, reverting your arm and shoulder back to their former pain-free selves.
- Frozen Shoulder:Â This type of shoulder issue can be harder to detect because the symptoms are less severe, though no less aggravating. If you notice stiffness and pain, specifically in the shoulder joint, you may be suffering from frozen shoulder (formally known as “adhesive capsulitis”). Your symptoms will likely worsen over time unless you begin treatment, though sometimes this problem can resolve on its own.
- Shoulder Osteoarthritis: Otherwise known as arthritis, this condition means that your cartilage has worn down over time and you now have bone-on-bone contact when you move your arm and shoulder. Grinding or clicking noises can hint at shoulder arthritis, and it may be the culprit if you also notice that your pain levels increase after a day filled with activity and use of the shoulder.
How Can You Prevent Shoulder and Arm Pain?
The best way to prevent any type of shoulder pain or even injury is to ensure that the muscles and joints surrounding the shoulder area are strong.
You can certainly exercise these areas at home in order to stretch the muscles, strengthen the joints, and improve range of motion. But it is advised to seek out the help of a professional before attempting such exercises. Simply watching a video on YouTube and then giving it a try yourself could actually harm your shoulder more than help it. You don’t want to cause an injury by placing stress on an already damaged part of the body.
Many physical therapists offer one-time appointments that will set you up with a care regime, including exercises to complete at home over a period of weeks or months that will specifically target the problem areas that are causing you pain and lessening your activity levels. You can then exercise at home without any anxiety or stress over whether or not you are doing the “right” things to help with your pain. You also have the option of returning for regular sessions with a physical therapist, though this may not be necessary, depending on the severity of your case.
How Can You Treat Shoulder and Arm Pain?
For most severe shoulder injuries such as dislocations, muscle or joint tears, or fractures, you need to seek the assistance of a medical professional. A doctor can help you get your shoulder back to normal, though it may require a surgical procedure and a lengthy recovery period. You might need to wear a sling or brace while your shoulder is realigned. Your doctor will also likely offer pain management options, including medications, and usually will prescribe a series of visits to a licensed physical therapist in order to regain regular movement in the affected areas.
For lesser cases of shoulder injury and particularly with any common shoulder issues, it is recommended to rest, use heat and ice to bring down any swelling and lessen pain, and perhaps take an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. After immediate pain is addressed, you can then consider your treatment options: going to a doctor or orthopedic specialist for x-rays or other such procedures, visiting a physical therapist who can advise you on what types of exercises to complete at home as well as if you need further medical advisement, or waiting a period of time to see if rest and relaxation is all that your shoulder needs to return to normal.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?
In a shoulder injury case, your best ally is a personal injury attorney. The insurance company has plenty of money to hire costly lawyers to defend their case, and they certainly don’t want to hand over money. The right personal injury attorney is the key to ensuring a successful outcome for your case. They help you figure out what your best options are, and they handle building the best case that proves you were injured, that the liable party is responsible, and how much compensation you require based on your medical needs and lost wages.
A personal injury attorney can help you face the complex and overwhelming legal system that is standing in the way of you receiving the compensation you deserve for your shoulder injury.
Contact Swor & Gatto Today
If you have suffered a shoulder injury that someone else was responsible for, the Swor & Gatto team is here to help. For more information about what to do after a shoulder injury, contact us today.