The shoulder joint is probably the most mobile joint in our body, but it is also particularly prone to injury. We will show you the causes of your shoulder pain.
The shoulder girdle extends from the breastbone to the humeral head to the shoulder blades and contains numerous bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Because the joint socket is significantly smaller than the head of the humerus, the shoulder has an enormous range of motion and must be held in the socket by our muscles. Due to this anatomical peculiarity, the shoulder joint is particularly susceptible to injuries and overloads. We will show you various causes that can be responsible for shoulder pain.
Important: If you experience shoulder pain that does not go away on its own and restricts your mobility, you should definitely consult your family doctor or an orthopedist to have the cause clarified and, if necessary, to initiate treatment.
Table of Contents
Shoulder pain: 3 possible causes
1. Osteoarthritis
Like any other joint, the shoulder can also be affected by osteoarthritis. Over the years and with particularly frequent or high (incorrect) strain, the cartilage between the humeral head and the joint socket wears away, which can lead to pain and restricted mobility. In many cases, arthrosis can be alleviated by means of physiotherapy and minimally invasive operations ( arthroscopy ). In later stages, however, a joint replacement may be necessary.
2. Impingement
If you suffer from shoulder pain, you have probably heard of impingement syndrome. This general term includes various clinical pictures that lead to shoulder pain. For example, bone spurs, calcium deposits on the tendons or pinching can lead to pain directly under the shoulder roof (acromion). These occur primarily when raising the arm beyond 90° and when making overhead movements. Physiotherapy and specific stretching and strengthening exercises can help to alleviate the symptoms.
3. Inflammation
Inflammatory reactions can occur on the one hand as a result of chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis , on the other hand also due to overloading or incorrect loading of the shoulder. If an autoimmune disease is present, successful treatment should also provide relief from shoulder pain. If there is acute overload or chronic poor posture, various structures around the joint can become inflamed – including tendons and bursa. The latter are fluid-filled connective tissue sacs that act as cushions on joints and bones. If they become inflamed, swelling, pain, redness and excessive heat build-up usually occur. Rest, cooling and anti-inflammatory drugs are used in therapy.
