Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Most people experience shoulder pain at some
point in their lives, and it is a very common problem. It is important to
accurately diagnose the pain so the shoulder can be
treated correctly as soon as possible.
Here are some of the more common causes of
shoulder pain, with a brief explanation of each:
Shoulder impingement syndrome
This is where the
supraspinatus tendon (one of the rotator cuff muscles) gets trapped
underneath the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). Other names for shoulder
impingement syndrome are clinical impingement syndrome and painful arc
syndrome.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa (fluid filled sac)
that sits underneath one ofthe shoulder joints, known as the
acromioclavicular joint.
Supraspinatus tendonitis
This is tendonitis of the supraspinatus
muscle, one of the rotator cuff muscles. Most often caused by abrasion
underneath the ACJ.
Rotator Cuff Tear
This is where one of the rotator cuff muscles tears.
You may suffer a full thickness tear, or a partial thickness tear. The
rotator cuff attach all around the shoulder and help to stabilise it.
Calcific tendonitis
This is where the rotator cuff tendon becomes calcified due to a prolonged period of abrasion.
Shoulder Arthritis (of the acromioclavicular joint)
Wear and tear changes under the acromion of the shoulder leading to shoulder impingement syndrome. This includes bone spurs.
These conditions are all treatable. See treatment recommendations.
