There are many conditions that can aggravate and cause serious pain in your arms and shoulders. And, in some cases, they can even debilitate the use of the affected area. The good news is that most of these common upper-body ailments are treatable without the need for having surgery.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is fairly common and is not exclusive to any age group. However, more often than not it happens as a result of wear and tear and overuse. As the body ages so do the tendons and their responsiveness. If you partake in sports, work out excessively or work in construction where you use a continuous motion back and forth or over your head, you are more susceptible to acquiring the condition. You can also develop tendinitis as a direct result of an injury. Thankfully, with early treatments of icing and heat therapy and rest, you can return to normal. If you ignore it and choose not to treat it, it can rupture and require surgery.
Torn Rotator Cuff
There are many events that can cause a rotator cuff tear. A sudden high-impact caused by a car accident or a fall, overuse, and age can all contribute to or cause such an injury. For your physician getting you temporary relief of pain is number one on their list. At that, they determine the extent of your damage. If it’s a minor tear many people experience a full recovery after icing, steroids, and exercise to increase the range of motion until you are back to normal. If none of these methods provides positive results or if you have a completely torn rotator cuff, surgery may prove to be your only option.
Dislocated Shoulder
A sports-related injury and a fall are the most common reasons that you may sustain a dislocated shoulder. It can also happen due to a serious car accident, a stroke or a seizure. A shoulder dislocation happens when the humeral head is forced out of its socket. In many cases, icing and a visit to your doctor followed by wearing a sling for a few weeks and physical therapy allow patients to recover without the need for surgery. However, if your physician feels that surgery is necessary the recovery time will take a bit longer.
Arthritis in the Shoulder
Arthritis in the shoulder, known as osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that develops when the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. While the disease is not limited to a certain group of people, it’s most common in older adults. The cartilage wears down over time. Unfortunately, to date, there is no cure. However, there are many treatments available that have delivered positive results. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to keep you as comfortable as possible and probably try you on a few different treatments to see which one your body accepts the best and recommend physical therapy. While surgery will not stop your arthritis, it can in severe cases, afford you a better range of motion, less pain by removing any obstructions like lose debris near the joints.
Arm and shoulder pain and discomfort can happen due to an illness, a disease or simply from overusing the tendons and muscles. Luckily, most of them are treatable through non-surgical practices. Medications, physical therapy and even switching a job or quitting a sport can restore you back to tip-top condition. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. If you have persistent pain, contact your doctor and let them identify the problem and the treatment options.
