Shoulder pain is one of the articular pains seen most commonly. Shoulder pain, which is a common problem in individuals who work by using their arms in particular, adversely affects the quality of life. Shoulder pain frequently originates from the shoulder joint and surrounding soft tissues, because the shoulder joint is very mobile and is frequently exposed to traumas or strain. Tears in shoulder muscles and tendons and restriction of joint movements will result if not treated. Mechanical problems involving the shoulder will result in restriction of the joint movements if mot treated in the early stage, and activities like putting on a jacket or combing hair will be restricted, and quality of life will be reduced. Unfortunately, many patients ignore their condition and make treatment more difficult because of delay.
Causes of shoulder pain:
- If individual feels knifelike pain when s/he raises his/her arm up, and has difficulties when placing objects in higher shelves, feels burning sensation when combing his/her hair, or feels pain when turning around in bed sharp enough to wake him/her up, this means that s/he has tear in shoulder muscles.
- Restriction in movements when dressing or undressing, and shoulder pain accompanying the difficulty in placing the hand on the back indicates frozen shoulder.
- Weakening of the shoulder muscle strength accompanies the shoulder pain developing nerve damage seen in muscles of the shoulder.
- Shoulder pain can also be seen in internal organs. Thoracic diseases, lung and gall bladder diseases can cause shoulder pain.
- Shoulder diseases including impingement syndrome, calcific tendinitis defined as calcification of tendons, instable shoulder (slack shoulder), incomplete displacement of the shoulder, strain pain developing in relation with shoulder muscles, myofascial pain syndrome and calcification in shoulder joint will result in pain.
- Pain in the left shoulder, on the same side with the heart, which is the vitally important organ, can be the messenger of a serious disease.