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Body's Most Complex Joint is a Frequent Trouble Spot
Category: Shoulder Pain
Jan 30, 2006
Dr. Mattingly is a professor of anatomy at the University of Scranton Physical Therapy Department. He has dedicated most of his professional life to the study, research and treatment of shoulder problems. At our clinic, Dr. Mattingly works almost exclusively with shoulder patients. This column, the first of three, will serve as an introduction to the shoulder.
The shoulder, the most complex joint in the body, is commonly injured. Shoulder injuries span all ages. A Little League player can experience shoulder pain after a game, while a grandmother can experience a similar shoulder pain after working in the garden.
A variety of troubles
However, it is important to keep in mind that not all shoulder pain is the same. Since the shoulder is such a complex joint, many different things can go wrong, resulting in pain. Here’s a partial list of some of the most common shoulder problems:
Arthritis: Inflammation of the lining of the joint caused by trauma, such as falling, or a disease such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Shoulder dislocation: When the bones “pop out of joint,” caused either by trauma or a genetic predisposition.
Torn rotator cuff: The rotator cuff is made up of muscles that hold the joint together. A rotator cuff can become torn due to trauma, such as falling on the shoulder, or after wear and tear from years of overhead activities. Rotator cuff tears are common both in athletes and the older population.
Impingement: When one or more of the rotator cuff muscles get pinched between two bones. This is very common and very painful, especially when you attempt to raise your hand over your head.
Bursitis: Inflammation of a fluid-filled sack that tries to protect the shoulder from impingement.
Frozen shoulder: When the connective tissue that holds the shoulder together becomes too tight. This limits the shoulder‘s freedom of movement. If you have shoulder pain from trauma, tendonitis or bursitis, and the arm is protected at your side for an extended period of time, you may lose the ability to raise your hand over your head. This is very common in middle-aged females and diabetics.
Read the complete article here