Fractures, arthritis, rotator cuff tears, and impingements are types of shoulder injuries. You can sustain these injuries from playing sports, lifting heavy weights, or accidents. Here are a few symptoms that indicate you should see a doctor for your shoulder pain:
Persistent and Worsening pain
If you experience pain that lasts beyond a few days, even with over-the-counter medications or ice, it could be a sign of underlying issues that require medical attention. Discomfort from shoulder injuries can stem from conditions affecting the muscles, ligaments, joint structures, or tendons. Tendinitis, arthritis, or rotator cuff tears are common shoulder problems that could cause ongoing discomfort that does not improve. Severe pain with specific movements may be due to impingement syndrome. Impingement syndrome occurs when soft tissues are compressed during movement, leading to inflammation. If the pain is left untreated, it might cause long-term complications, including reduced mobility, chronic inflammation, or joint instability. Seeking medical attention earlier can help identify the exact cause and initiate timely interventions such as medications, anti-inflammatory injections, and shoulder instability procedures.
Limited Range of Motion
This occurs when you cannot move your shoulder fully in one or more directions, such as reaching behind your back, rotating your shoulder, or lifting your arm overhead. You are likely to experience a limited range of motion if you are suffering from shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tear or frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis makes the shoulder joints stiff and painful, restricting movement. Other conditions like arthritis often cause joint inflammation and stiffness, making moving your shoulder hard. Your doctor should assess the extent of the limitation to determine the actual cause through physical examination or imaging. They then might recommend an appropriate treatment, including medication, physical therapy, or surgery to restore mobility.
Significant Swelling
Significant swelling often indicates underlying damage to tissues or structures within the shoulder. It occurs when the blood or other fluids accumulate in response to trauma, signaling potential issues including muscle strain, bone structure, ligament tear, or joint dislocation. When your shoulder joint is forced out of its normal position, the result is usually intense pain and significant swelling. The swelling makes your shoulder appear visibly enlarged or mishappen and can limit your movement while increasing discomfort. Your doctor frequently conducts an assessment using imaging techniques like X-ray to identify the cause of swelling. They then may recommend various treatment options, including medications and physical therapy.
Numbness or Tingling
You are more likely to experience numbness or tingling when the nerves in or around the shoulders are damaged, compressed, or irritated. Frozen shoulder, brachial plexus injury, shoulder dislocation, and rotator cuff tears are major causes of numbness. You may also experience numbness if a herniated disc in the cervical spine presses on a nerve root. After lifting a heavy weight, you may feel a sharp pain in your neck, followed by numbness or tingling radiating down to your shoulder. Seeing a doctor immediately can prevent permanent nerve damage or loss of function. Treatment options may range from medication to surgery, depending on the severity of the nerve injury.
Learn More About Shoulder Injuries
Some shoulder injuries develop slowly, and you may not notice until you experience pain or limited mobility. Trauma, accidents, sports, poor posture, and lifting weights are the significant causes of shoulder injuries. Common symptoms include numbness, discomfort, severe pain, and restricted motion. Contact a qualified orthopedic clinic to learn more about their services.
