Shoulder Pain Coventry & Birmingham

In the human anatomy, the shoulder joint comprises the part of the body where the humerus attaches to the scapula. It is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder make up the shoulder joints.

There are two kinds of cartilage in the joint. The first type is the white cartilage on the ends of the bones (called articular cartilage) which allows the bones to glide and move on each other. When this type of cartilage starts to wear out (a process called arthritis), shoulder pain and stiffness can occur.

The labrum is a second kind of cartilage in the shoulder which is distinctly different from the articular cartilage. This cartilage is more fibrous or rigid than the cartilage on the ends of the ball and socket. The shoulder must be flexible for the wide range of motion required in the arms and hands and also strong enough to allow for actions such as lifting, pushing and pulling. The compromise between these two functions results in a large number of shoulder pain problems not faced by other joints such as the hip.

How Common is Shoulder Pain?

Throughout the UK people seek medical care each year for shoulder pain, sprains, strains, dislocation, or other associated conditions and disorders. Shoulder pain problems are ones of the most common, seen by Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Doctors who treat disorders of the bones, muscles, and related structures.

What Causes Shoulder Injury & Pain?

The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to shoulder injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain stable, the shoulder must be anchored by its muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some shoulder injury problems arise from the disruption of these soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or under use of the shoulder. Other problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well

Shoulder injury may be a localized pain, or the pain may be referred to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Disease within the body (such as gallbladder, liver, or heart disease, or disease of the neck) also may generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder.

Shoulder Joint Tear Coventry & Birmingham

Three bones make up the shoulder joint, the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), and the upper arm bone (humerus). The head of the upper arm bone (humeral head) rests in a socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The upper arm bone called the head is larger than the socket; a soft fibrous rim of tissue rim called the labrum surrounds the socket to help stabilize the joint. This rim deepens the socket, so that the head of the upper arm bone fits better. They also serve as an attachment site for several ligaments. Injuries to the tissue rim, including a shoulder joint tear, surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion.

Any of the following traumatic injuries can cause a shoulder joint tear:

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A blow to the shoulder
• A sudden jerk, as in trying to lift an object that is too heavy
• A violent overhead stretch or reach, as in when trying to stop a fall

The following list entails some of the symptoms that may occur when you are experiencing a shoulder joint tear:

• Pain in overhead activities
• Pulling, locking, cracking or grinding
• Occasional pain with daily activities
• Perhaps a sense of instability in the shoulder
• Decreased range in movement
• Lack of strength

Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy this therapy has a five star rating in the acceleration of the healing process and pain relief, thus reducing convalescing periods.

Shoulder Tendonitis or Bursitis

The tendons of the Rotator Cuff rotate the upper shoulder bone (humerus) and help raise the arm by pulling the Humeral head down as the Deltoid muscle pulls the arm up. These tendons may be irritated by pressure from the Acromion process of the Scapula (the upper part of the shoulder blade) and the Coraco-Acromial Ligament. This irritation of the tendons or the lubricating Bursa (connective tissue sack) is referred to as "Shoulder Tendonitis" or "Shoulder Bursitis". This is also known collectively as the "Impingement syndrome".

The symptoms of shoulder tendonitis, or impingement syndrome, present not only as pain on movement, but also as constant pain. This can be accompanied by snapping or cracking sensations on movement. Symptoms may start after an injury which may result in a weakening of the shoulder muscles caused by the pain from the injury.

A clinical diagnosis of Impingement Syndrome is made by physical examination, and X-rays. Sometimes an M.R.I.scan is necessary to exclude rotator cuff tears.