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Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don't work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following features are indicative of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • tingling or numbness
  • pain
  • mild swelling
  • joint stiffness
  • malaise
  • fatigue
  • tenderness
  • muscle weakness
  • loss of flexibility
  • decreased mobility
It is possible that Shoulder Injuries and Disorders shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • fractures
  • nerve injuries
  • sprains
  • increased uric acid levels
  • hereditary
  • overweight

Risk Factors for Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • anatomic factors
  • nerve-damaging conditions
  • inflammatory conditions
  • alterations in the balance of body fluids
  • workplace factors
  • obesity
  • genetic factor
  • joint injuries

Prevention of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Shoulder Injuries and Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • reducing the force and relaxing the grip
  • take frequent breaks
  • improve your posture
  • keep your hands warm
  • use proper workplace ergonomics
  • prepare your muscles before playing
  • maintaining the body weight
  • prevent yourself from infections
  • prevent joints from injuries

Occurrence of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Shoulder Injuries and Disorders can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Shoulder Injuries and Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • Electromyogram: To measure the electrical activity of the muscles
  • X-rays: To visualize bone and view cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs
  • Computerized tomography scan: To visualize both bone and the surrounding soft tissues
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: To produce more-detailed cross-sectional images of soft tissues
  • Ultrasound: To view soft tissues, cartilage and fluid-containing structures

Doctor for Diagnosis of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • General physician
  • Rheumatologist
  • Orthopedic surgeon
  • Osteopathic physician
  • Podiatrist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physical therapist
  • Psychologist

Complications of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders if untreated

Yes, Shoulder Injuries and Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Shoulder Injuries and Disorders is left untreated:
  • ruptured tendon
  • twisted and deformed joints
  • joint damage

Procedures for Treatment of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • Joint replacement surgery: Removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one
  • Joint repair: Reduces pain and improve function
  • Joint fusion: Removes the ends of the two bones in the joint

Self-care for Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • Regular exercise: Strengthen the muscles surrounding joints
  • Loose extra weight: Reduces the stress on your weight-bearing joints
  • Quit smoking: Reduces stress on connective tissues

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders:
  • Acupuncture: Reduce many types of pain, including that caused by some types of arthritis
  • Yoga: Improve joint flexibility and range of motion in people with some types of arthritis
  • Glucosamine: Relieves arthritis pain
  • Massage: Increases blood flow and warm affected joints

Patient Support for Treatment of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

The following actions may help Shoulder Injuries and Disorders patients:
  • Patient education and support: Improves or maintain function and quality of life

Time for Treatment of Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Shoulder Injuries and Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 3 months

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Shoulder Injuries and Disorders.
Arm Injuries and Disorders
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Hand Injuries and Disorders
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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