Common Shoulder Injuries and How They Occur
The shoulder is one of the most actively used parts of the human body. And as we know, the human body is like a machine, and its parts could get hurt sometimes. Shoulder injuries are more common than you might think. The shoulder consists of two main bones: the humerus and the scapula. The tip of the humerus is rounded and fits into a hole in the scapula. Around the shoulder is a group of muscles and ligaments. Ligaments connect the bones in the shoulder. Tendons connect the bones to the surrounding muscles. To keep your shoulder healthy and pain-free, it's important to know how to spot and avoid common shoulder injuries seen by our orthopedic surgeon in Orange City.
Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles in the upper arm. The rotator cuff allows the arms to be raised and rotated. Shoulder muscles are attached to bones by tendons. The rotator cuff tendons allow the muscles to move the arm. When the tendon is cut or injured, the humerus cannot easily move out of the socket. This makes the movement very painful and difficult.
Causes
Rotator cuff tear is mostly observed in the elderly as their movement is reduced later in life. The tendons start to lose their strength as we grow old and degenerate. This weakening leads to the rotator cuff tear. However, it is also possible in younger people who have poor blood supply to the shoulder and put too much pressure on the rotator cuff area.
Shoulder Fracture
Fracture means broken bones. Fracture is also a common cause of shoulder pain. Fracture related to shoulder pain is observed in these three bones commonly;
- Scapula
- Humerus
- Collarbone
Causes
Fracture is a result of a serious injury to the shoulder. It could be caused by an accident or a high-impact fall. It is best to go to the ER if you endure a serious accident.
Arthritis
Arthritis can also cause severe shoulder pain. There are many types of arthritis. The most common form of arthritis in the shoulder joint is osteoarthritis, also known as "osteoarthritis." Symptoms such as swelling, pain, and stiffness usually begin in middle age. Osteoarthritis develops slowly, and the pain it causes can worsen over time.
Causes
The common reasons behind arthritis are age and muscle degeneration. Too much muscle use can also lead to "wear and tear" of the shoulder joint. Obesity and auto-immune disorders are also linked to arthritis.
Shoulder injuries are very common; each year, millions of Americans go to the hospital because of acute or chronic shoulder pain. The best action is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat healthily, and exercise daily. If you experience pain or any difficulty moving your shoulder, you should visit our orthopedic surgeon in Orange City to seek diagnosis and treatment. Contact the experts at Florida Bone and Joint to hear more about our shoulder specialty today.