Category: Bursits

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Shoulder Pain: Exploring Causes and Treatment

Your shoulder is prone to pain and issues

Your shoulder is made of several joints combined with muscles and tendons to facilitate movement in different ways. However, this mobility comes at a cost. You may face growing problems with the instability of soft tissues in your shoulder as you age. Consequently, it will cause pain.

Types of shoulder pain and when to see a doctor

Apart from aging, there can be some common causes such as arthritis and muscle imbalance that can lead to shoulder pain. When brushing your hair or getting something overhead becomes a chore, it’s high time to figure out the cause. The pain can range from mild to severe and start over time or unexpectedly.

If you feel excruciating pain in your shoulder or if the pain is due to an injury, it is advisable to see a doctor right away. If you feel mild pain in your shoulder, it can be cured by taking over-the-counter NSAIDs or making some lifestyle changes. Sometimes, mild stretching exercises can also help reduce pain. However, if your pain does not go away on its own, consult your doctor.

A sneak peek into other signs that make it crucial to see a specialist right away

  • Not able to move your shoulder
  • Feeling numbness or weakness in your arm
  • Swelling in your shoulder

Overlooking these warning signs can lead to more serious shoulder issues.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

It is imperative to figure out the cause to get an effective treatment.Have an insight into the prevalent causes of shoulder pain:

 Fracture

Shoulder pain can be the result of fracture, which is often caused by motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries in younger patients or falls from great heights in older ones. Shoulder fractures involve collar bone, upper arm bone, and shoulder blade, and can cause swelling and bruising. A broken collarbone results in sagging of your shoulder and makes it impossible to lift.  

Arthritis

Shoulder pain can be caused by osteoarthritis that develops gradually. It causes pain that gets worse over time. Osteoarthritis can be the result of injuries or wear and tear. Common symptoms include stiffness, pain, and swelling. Your shoulder movement may also get restricted painfully due to the tightening of the soft tissues of the joint.

Dislocation

If you pull your shoulder too hard, there is a possibility that the top of your arm may come out of its socket. The signs of shoulder dislocation include pain, weakness, swelling, and numbness. If you feel a bump on your shoulder top, your collarbone has dislocated. 

Tendon tear

Ageing, overuse or wear and tear can lead to the tearing of tendons. Sometimes, the tearing is severe enough to pull the tendon away from its attachment to the bone.

Cartilage Tear

If you feel pain in your shoulder while grabbing something overhead, there is a possibility of injury to the cartilage that surrounds the rim of your shoulder joint. 

Frozen Shoulder

This condition restricts the movement of your joint. If you are not using your shoulder enough due to pain or surgery, there are chances of building up adhesions in the joint. This will result in shoulder freezing.

Bursitis

Overusing your shoulder might lead to inflammation of the bursa between the rotator cuff and part of your shoulder blade. This condition is called bursitis which can cause difficulty in performing even the simple chores such as combing your hair. Rotator cuff tearing
 Rotator cuff tearing is more likely to occur because of an injury. If you feel sudden pain from an injury, consult a doctor as you might need surgery to fix the issue. However, if there is no severe pain, anti-inflammatory medications and rest can work for you. 

Treatment for shoulder pain

Lifestyle changes and medications

It involves rest and physical therapy to improve flexibility. You should avoid overusing your shoulder to prevent pain. Your doctor might prescribe some medications to reduce swelling and pain. They might also recommend injections or steroids to relieve pain.

Surgery

Shoulder problems such as dislocation or tears might need surgery.Surgery is recommended to remove or repair the torn tissues. If you have had shoulder surgery, you should follow post-care instructions carefully.

Do you need to see a doctor?

If you feel intense pain in your shoulder due to an injury, seek medical care immediately. If you are looking for Shoulder Pain Treatment in Chandigarh, schedule an appointment with Dr Manu Mengi.

Book an appointment with Dr Manu Mengi

Dr. Manu Mengi follows a comprehensive approach to address the issue which includes thoroughly evaluating the medical history, conducting a complete examination, and running specific tests to determine the cause. Being the Best Orthopaedist in Chandigarh, Dr. Manu Mengi works diligently to provide his patients with a customized treatment plan. Don’t let shoulder pain prevent you from living your life. Visit Dr. Manu Mengi today. 

November 16, 2023 / by Manu

The Complete Guide to Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa. A bursa is a closed, fluid-filled sac that works as a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae (bursa plural) are located next to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Bursitis is usually a temporary condition. It may limit motion but generally does not cause deformity.

Bursitis can happen in any bursa in the body, but there are some common types of bursitis, including:

  • Retromalleolar tendon bursitis. This type of bursitis is also called Albert disease. It’s caused by things like injury, disease, or shoes with rigid back support. These put extra strain on the lower part of the Achilles tendon. This attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel. This can lead to inflammation of the bursa located where the tendon attaches to the heel.
  • Posterior Achilles tendon bursitis. This type of bursitis, also called Haglund deformity, is in the bursa located between the skin of the heel and the Achilles tendon. This attaches the calf muscles to the heel. It is aggravated by a type of walking that presses the soft heel tissue into the hard back support of a shoe.
  • Hip bursitis. Also called trochanteric bursitis, hip bursitis is often the result of injury, overuse, spinal abnormalities, arthritis, or surgery. This type of bursitis is more common in women and middle-aged and older people.
  • Elbow bursitis. Elbow bursitis is caused by the inflammation of the bursa located between the skin and bones of the elbow (the olecranon bursa). Elbow bursitis can be caused by injury or constant pressure on the elbow (for example, when leaning on a hard surface).
  • Knee bursitis. Bursitis in the knee is also called goosefoot bursitis or Pes Anserine bursitis. The Pes Anserine bursa is located between the shin bone and the three tendons of the hamstring muscles, on the inside of the knee. This type of bursitis may be caused by lack of stretching before exercise, tight hamstring muscles, being overweight, arthritis, or out-turning of the knee or lower leg.
  • Kneecap bursitis. Also called prepatellar bursitis, this type of bursitis is common in people who are on their knees a lot, such as carpet layers and plumbers.

What causes bursitis?

The most common causes of bursitis are injury or overuse. Infection may also cause it.

Bursitis is also associated with other problems. These include arthritis, gout, tendonitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease.

What are the symptoms of bursitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of bursitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.

  • Pain
  • Localized tenderness
  • Limited motion
  • Swelling and redness if the inflamed bursa is close to the surface of the skin

Chronic bursitis may involve repeated attacks of pain, swelling, and tenderness. These may lead to the deterioration of muscles and a limited range of motion in the affected joint.

The symptoms of bursitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is bursitis diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic tests for bursitis may include:

  • X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An imaging test that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed pictures of organs and structures within the body.
  • Ultrasound. An imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to look at the internal organs and tissues.
  • Aspiration. A procedure that involves using a thin needle to remove fluid from the swollen bursa to check for infection or gout as causes of bursitis.
  • Blood tests. Lab tests may be done to confirm or rule out other conditions.

How is bursitis treated?

The treatment of any bursitis depends on whether or not it involves infection.

  • Aseptic bursitis. This inflammation results from local soft-tissue trauma or strain injury. The bursa is not infected. Treatment may include:
  • R.I.C.E. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation
  • Anti-inflammatory and pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or aspirin
  • Injection of a steroid into the affected area to help decrease pain and swelling
  • Splints or braces to limit movement of the affected joint 
  • Septic bursitis. The bursa becomes infected with bacteria. This causes pain and swelling. Treatment may include:
  • Antibiotics
  • Repeated aspiration of the infected fluid (a needle is used to take out the fluid)
  • Surgical drainage and removal of the infected bursa. This is called a bursectomy.

What can I do to prevent bursitis?

Try the following measures to prevent bursitis:

  • Warm up before exercising or before sports or other repetitive movements.
  • Start new exercises or sports slowly. Gradually increase the demands you put on your body.
  • Take breaks often when doing repetitive tasks.
  • Cushion “at risk” joints by using elbow or knee pads.
  • Stop activities that cause pain.
  • Practice good posture. Position your body properly when doing daily activities.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

  • Pain or trouble moving affects your regular daily activities
  • Pain doesn’t get better or gets worse with treatment
  • A bulge or lump develops at the affected joint
  • Redness or swelling develops at the affected joint
  • You have a fever, chills, or night sweats

Key points about bursitis

  • Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a closed, fluid-filled sac that works as a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body.
  • The most common causes of bursitis are injury or overuse, but it can also be caused by infection.
  • Pain, swelling, and tenderness near a joint are the most common signs of bursitis.
  • Bursitis can be treated with rest and medicines to help with the inflammation. Antibiotics are used if infection is found. If needed, surgery can be done to remove the bursa.
  • You can help prevent bursitis by doing things like warming up before exercise or sports, increasing activity slowly, padding joints, taking rest breaks often, and stopping activities that cause pain.
July 10, 2023 / by Manu
Back Pain Treatment