Shoulder pain is a common complaint experienced by many people, whether due to daily activities, injuries, or certain medical conditions. The causes of shoulder pain can vary widely, ranging from mild muscle problems to more serious issues involving the joint and surrounding tissues. If not treated properly, shoulder pain can limit arm movement, disrupt sleep, and reduce daily productivity.
Medically, shoulder pain may be associated with arthritis, bursitis, shoulder dislocation, frozen shoulder, and tendonitis. Understanding the underlying cause is essential so that treatment can be tailored to the specific condition.
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Causes of Shoulder Pain to Watch Out For
Below are several causes of shoulder pain that you should be aware of:
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the shoulder joint that may occur due to aging, previous injuries, or autoimmune diseases. This condition can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited shoulder movement, especially during activities or after long periods of inactivity.
2. Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the bursa—small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint—becomes inflamed. It is commonly triggered by repetitive movements, excessive activity, or prolonged pressure on the shoulder. Symptoms include pain, discomfort, and difficulty lifting the arm.
3. Shoulder Dislocation
A shoulder dislocation happens when the upper arm bone comes out of its normal position in the shoulder joint, usually due to injury or a strong impact. Meanwhile, shoulder impingement occurs when soft tissues around the shoulder are pinched between bones, causing pain when the arm is lifted or moved.
4. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain caused by thickening and inflammation of the joint capsule. This condition develops gradually and can significantly limit shoulder movement over a long period, particularly in people with diabetes or after prolonged shoulder immobilization.
5. Bone, Muscle, or Soft Tissue Injuries
Injuries to the bones, muscles, or soft tissues of the shoulder may include muscle strains, tears, or fractures. These injuries often occur due to accidents, falls, or strenuous physical activity. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and limited shoulder movement.
6. Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons, which are tissues connecting muscles to bones in the shoulder area. This condition is usually caused by overuse or repetitive movements over time. Tendonitis can result in pain during shoulder movement, especially when lifting or rotating the arm.
7. Separated Shoulder
A separated shoulder is an injury to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, which connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. This injury typically occurs due to a direct blow to the shoulder or a fall onto a hard surface. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and visible deformity of the shoulder, particularly when the arm is moved or lifted.
A doctor will determine the cause of your shoulder pain through a review of symptoms and a physical examination. Diagnostic tests, such as shoulder X-rays, are commonly used to help the doctor clearly assess the condition of the bones and structures beneath the skin.
How to Treat Shoulder Pain
Treatment for shoulder pain varies depending on the cause and may include the following approaches:
- Limiting physical activities that involve the use of the arms and shoulders
- Taking medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
- Undergoing therapy with a chiropractor or physical therapist to help align, stretch, and improve shoulder flexibility
- Immobilization, such as using an arm sling, to temporarily restrict movement during recovery
- Undergoing surgery to repair damaged shoulder structures or perform shoulder joint replacement if necessary
The doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for your shoulder pain after establishing a diagnosis.
Consult an Orthopedic Specialist for Shoulder Pain at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Shoulder pain should not be ignored, especially if it persists or increasingly limits daily activities. At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, shoulder pain can be treated by experienced orthopedic consultants specializing in shoulder conditions, including dr. Troydimas Panjaitan, Sp.OT(K).
He has treated a wide range of shoulder disorders, such as sports injuries, shoulder osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, shoulder dislocation, muscle injuries, and shoulder fractures.
dr. Troydimas completed his consultant training at the Sports Medicine & Joint Center, Funabashi Orthopaedic Hospital, Chiba, Japan, equipping him with advanced expertise in managing shoulder and elbow conditions using modern techniques. His procedures include arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery with incisions of less than 1 cm, and arthroplasty, or joint replacement surgery for selected cases.
At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, shoulder pain management is delivered through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Patients receive complete care ranging from diagnosis, medical education, medication therapy, surgical intervention when necessary, to physiotherapy as part of the recovery process. This approach ensures that treatment is tailored to the severity of each condition.
For mild to moderate cases, shoulder specialists typically recommend medication combined with physiotherapy. However, if symptoms do not improve, advanced procedures such as arthroscopy, arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, or shoulder reconstruction may be considered to restore optimal shoulder function.
Conditions Treated by a Shoulder Orthopedic Consultant:
- Shoulder fractures
- Shoulder joint injuries
- Shoulder osteoarthritis
- Shoulder bursitis
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Sports-related shoulder injuries
- Sternoclavicular joint injuries
- Tennis elbow
dr. Troydimas Panjaitan, Sp.OT(K) is available for consultation at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 17:00 – 20:00
- Friday: 17:00 – 20:00
To make your visit more convenient, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter application, available for download on Google Play and the App Store, to manage appointments, check queue numbers, and access complete medical information.
