Research Paper on Shoulder Complexity & Injury: Aching Pain & High Flexibility

Introduction

The shoulder is among the most complex joints of the body. The joint allows movement in different directions, including forward, around in a circle, backward and away from the body. Ligaments and muscles are vital in keeping they should secure and stable in its socket. The component of the high flexibility of the shoulder makes the same quite vulnerable to injury. Pain is a common sign of most shoulder illnesses. The pain takes the form of a dull but aching pain that usually worsens with activity. Another common symptom of individuals with shoulder problems includes weaknesses. Simple exercises like lifting the arm produce pain. Since there are a variety of causes and conditions that may make an individual experience shoulder pain or weaknesses knowledge about the different problems of the shoulder is vital. This essay covers the medical conditions, diseases, and injuries that affect the shoulder tracking the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for the affected individuals.

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Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Shoulder bursitis is a condition of inflammation of a section of the shoulder joint. Inflammation of the cuff tendons can be referred to as cuff tendonitis or bursitis depending on the specific inflamed area, whether it is the cuff tendons or the surrounding bursa (Whittle & Buchbinder, 2015). Often, there is a combination of both problems. The condition affects the muscles as well the tendons that are critical in moving the shoulder joint. The situation is also referred to as impingement syndrome.

The causes of the condition include an initial injury that triggers the process of inflammation. Upon onset, the problem is self-exacerbating with the inflammation causing the thickening of the affected structures. The thickening consequently causes the tendons to take up extra space and thereby, more inflammation (Whittle & Buchbinder, 2015). The condition develops over time and can be a result of keeping the shoulder in one position for a long time of sleeping on the same shoulder every night. The condition is common in athletes who participate in sports that require regular lifting of the joint like pitchers, tennis players, and swimmers. In other situations, the condition can start without any underlying cause.

The symptoms of cuff tendonitis include pain while carrying out overhead activities. It is also possible for the pain to be localized on the upper arm causing difficulties in carrying out daily activities (Whittle & Buchbinder, 2015). With time the condition worsens, causing pain during sleep. Other symptoms include a clicking sound while raising the arm, stiffness, and significant loss of strength and mobility of the affected limb.

Treatment of the condition with often start with a diagnosis that includes the doctor requiring the patient to move the arm n varying directions to test the mobility of the shoulder. The health professional can also need the patient to move press the shoulder joint against the hand. An x-ray examination can confirm the presence of a bone spur (Whittle & Buchbinder, 2015). Ultrasound can also detect the presence of inflammation and tearing.

The initial treatment of the condition comprises the management of pain and swelling. Such is done through avoidance of activities that cause pain. Also, the application of cold packs to the shoulder at least four times a day. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can go a long way in facilitating the improvement of the condition (Whittle & Buchbinder, 2015). A doctor can recommend seeing a physical therapist who guides the patients on helpful stretching activities. Conservative treatment methods such as steroid injection have been proved successful in promoting recovery of rotator cuff tendonitis. Failure of the non-surgical techniques can necessitate surgery that can involve a non-invasive surgery done through arthroscopy. Arthroscopy comprises the making of three or two cuts around the shoulder used to insert various instruments among them a camera to view the damaged tissue. Open shoulder surgery is not required, but it can be instrumental where a patient has other shoulder problems.

Shoulder Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most occurring type of shoulder arthritis. The natural aging process is a common trigger of osteoarthritis of the shoulder by initiating the process of wearing away of the bones located between the shoulder joints. Osteoarthritis is referred in other words as degenerating joint disease. The condition is characterized by continued wear and tear of the joint cartilage. With time the protective cartilage part is completely worn away leaving a bare bone exposed. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of osteoarthritis of the shoulder (OrthoInfo, 2019). Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition of attacks arising from immune dysfunction and that cause the wearing away of the cartilage lining found between the bone's joints on the shoulder. Often, the condition affects multiple joints throughout the body. Post-traumatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis that arise from either an injury or a fracture of the shoulder.

The symptoms of shoulder arthritis worsen as the condition progresses. The situation changes according to weather and other variations. The most common symptoms associated with arthritis include pain while carrying on activities, an aspect of stiffness, swelling of joints on the shoulders, tenderness and a feeling of clicking sound and grinding on the affected joint (OrthoInfo, 2019). Other signs include redness or high temperature in the affected area and difficulty in raising the arm.

Treatment of should arthritis depends largely on the specific type of arthritis and the severity of the shoulder pain. Non-surgical options include resting the arm and avoidance of strenuous activities, over the counter anti-inflammatory prescriptions and steroid injections. Physical therapy can also go a long way in relieving the pain resulting from arthritis. Physical therapy includes selected exercises aimed at restoring the standard range of motion on the shoulder and supporting the restoration of shoulder strength. Surgery for arthritis-related conditions is carried out by orthopedic surgeons. Options include total shoulder replacement surgery where a metal ball is affixed to the socket (glenoid), and a plastic cup is attached to the upper side of the humerus (OrthoInfo, 2019). The second option is reverse shoulder replacement surgery vital in the treatment of shoulder arthritis where convention shoulder surgery has failed and in instances of combined arthritis.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulders stiffen and experience reduced mobility. The problem begins when the capsule of the connective tissue surrounding the shoulders contract and thickens contributed to stiffness, restricted movement, and pain. Though frozen shoulder is often confused for arthritis, the two conditions are different in that frozen shoulder is associated explicitly with a shoulder joint. However, arthritis is the term used, while other multiple joints are affected. The shoulder is made up of three bones forming the ball and the socket joint. The three bones are the upper arm called the humerus, and the collarbone referred to as the clavicle and the shoulder blade called the scapula. Still, there is a tissue covering the shoulder joint that keeps everything in place. Upon the onset of a frozen shoulder problem, the capsule gets very thick and consequently tight interfering with the mobility of the shoulder (Lewis, 2015). Band of scar tissue develops, and there is less presence of the synovial fluid that keeps the joints lubricated. The consequent occurrences interfere with shoulder mobility even more.

The most critical symptoms of frozen shoulder include persistent pain or stiffness of the shoulder that makes it hard to move the same. An individual with the condition is likely to feel achy or dull pain, mostly in one of the joints (Lewis, 2015). At times, pain can be felt in the shoulder muscles, wrapping the top of the arm. It is also possible to feel some sensation in the upper arm.

It is believed that the formation of scar tissue in the shoulder causes the onset of the condition of the frozen shoulder. The scar tissue makes the shoulder joint capsule to tighten and thicken, consequently leaving limited room for movement. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. The common risk factors of the condition include being over 40 years. Also, a high number of individuals with the disease are women. Other risk factors include a recent trauma or surgery limiting immobility and causing the stiffening of the shoulders (Lewis, 2015). A high number of individuals suffering from the condition relate to the onset of the same with fracture or injury. The situation is also common for individuals living with diabetes.

The problem of the frozen shoulder often resolves by itself. Frozen shoulder condition develops in stages. During the freezing stage, an individual develops pain every time they are moving the shoulder. The worsen, and the affected individual can feel pain at night. The phase lasts about 6 to 9 months. The frozen stage follows with pain getter better but stiffness becoming worse (Lewis, 2015). Moving the shoulder becomes even more difficult, and the period lasts from 4 to 12 months (Lewis, 2015). The next stage is the thawing stage, where the range of motion gets back to normal. The phase can take a period between 6 months to 2 years.

Commonly, the condition is treated using anti-inflammatory medications combined with physical therapy. The options of physical therapy and medications are deemed successful in about 90% of the cases (Lewis, 2015). Surgical options should get explored in the circumstances that do not experience relief following two years of medication. Suitable, gentle, and frequent exercises guided by an osteopath can reverse shoulder stiffness. The recommended practices include crossover arms stretch. Cross over arm stretch involves holding the upper arm of the affected side and gently pulling the hand across the front and then placing it under the chin. Pendulum stretch is another important exercise for individuals suffering from frozen shoulder. Pendulum stretch involves standing in a posture allowing relaxation of the joints, leaning forward and allowing the unaffected arm to rest on the table and subsequently allowing the affected limb to hang down in a vertical position and swinging the same in a small circle circumference of one-foot diameter.

Shoulder Dislocations

The shoulder joint is quite mobile, increasing the likelihood of the bone dislocating from the socket. It is possible for the humerus, the top part of the upper arm bone, to partially or sometimes completely get off the socket. A partial dislocation occurs when the bone moves somewhat off the shoulder and later return by itself (Lim, Lee & Kim, 2017). A partial dislocation occurs when the humerus moves completely beyond the shoulder joint and has to be returned to its normal position by an outside force.

The cause of shoulder dislocations ranges from impactful and unprepared for contact during sports. Other common causes of shoulder dislocation include accidents such as traffic accidents. Also, falling on an outstretched arm or the shoulder (Lim, Lee & Kim, 2017). At times, dislocation of the shoulder is caused by seizures as well as electric shocks that cause muscle contractions used in pulling the arm out of usual place.

Individuals with a dislocated shoulder experience some severe shoulder pain. Also, there might be swelling and bruising on the upper arm and neck Lim, Lee & Kim, 2017). Trouble moving the arm is a vital sign. Other signs include the arm moving out of its regular place and muscle spams on the shoulder.