The shoulder is made up of several layers and is the most movable joint in the body. This incredible range of motion can also be a liability, however, as the shoulder is also an unstable joint that is awfully susceptible to injury. In this brief article brought to you by Southern Maryland Medical Group, we will review some of the common causes of shoulder pain. If you are looking for primary care doctors or physical therapy in the Southern Maryland area, then call Southern Maryland Medical Group to schedule an appointment or visit one of our three clinics for a walk-in appointment today.
As we mentioned earlier, the shoulder is the most movable joint in the body and is therefore awfully unstable and vulnerable to dislocating. In fact, the shoulder is the most frequently dislocated major joint. This is usually caused by significant force that separates the joint’s ball (upper part of the humerus) from its socket (the glenoid).
A shoulder impingement happens when the acromion, or outer edge of your shoulder blade, pinches or "impinges" the rotator cuff, a group of four small muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. A shoulder impingement can irritate and damage the rotator cuff, causing swelling which can lead to a vicious cycle in which the swelling narrows the space below the acromion and results in more impingement.
Shoulder impingements are most seen in individuals involved in sports and activities requiring a lot of overhead rotational motion. Think swimming, volleyball, window washing, and painting.
Inflammation, in a very general sense, is the immune system’s response to an irritant. When considering the shoulder, inflammation usually inflicts the bursae and tendons, causing bursitis and tendinitis. In fact, tendinitis and bursitis often occur in tandem.
Repeatedly performing the same motion, such as throwing a baseball, can irritate and aggravate the bursa or tendons, leading to swelling and inflammation. This is why stretching and taking breaks are so important!
The tendon is a fibrous tissue that connects muscles and bones. Tendons can deteriorate or wear out with age, overuse, and random injuries. Eventually, the tendon can split or tear, causing immense pain. When the tendon in question is in the rotator cuff, we call it a rotator cuff tear.
Serious trauma or accidents can fracture the bones in your shoulders. The most common types of shoulder fractures include clavicle fractures, humerus fractures, and scapula fractures. A fracture can be a partial crack or a total break through a bone.
If you are experiencing persistent and/or sharp pain in your shoulders and live in Southern Maryland, then call Southern Maryland Medical Group to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified physicians today. Southern Maryland Medical Group also provides physical therapy services for some shoulder injuries and conditions.
We are always happy to schedule a convenient appointment. We also accept walk-in appointments at any one of our three clinics in the Southern Maryland area. Explore our website or call now for directions.
Southern Maryland Medical Group has 3 convenient locations to provide professional medical care services in the Southern Maryland area. Call or schedule an appointment with one of our locations to get medical care help.
5801 Allentown Road, Suite 400 Camp Spring, MD 20746
Phone: 301-868- 0150
Billing Inquiries: 301-552-1270
Fax: 301-868-0243
7500 Greenway Center, Dr #1200 Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-486-7580
Billing Inquiries: 301-552-1270
Fax: 301-486-7581
6510 Kenilworth Ave, Ste 1400, Riverdale MD 20737
Phone: 301-618-0771
Billing Inquiries: 301-552-1270
Fax: 301-618-0772
