Unrelenting shoulder pain can often be caused by a more serious problem than a simple pull or strain.
This is known as frozen shoulder syndrome, and is often mistaken for neuritis or traction because of the general symptoms. It takes a long time to recognise the real problem. Find out what the symptoms of the condition are and learn about possible treatments.
The shoulder joint is very complex and has many different functions. Arches, muscles and ligaments are connected in it and they connect the arm to the trunk. Frozen shoulder syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disease of the shoulder and the surrounding soft tissues. When the connective tissues surrounding the joint become inflamed, they thicken from 3-4 mm to 1-2 cm thick. They become stiff and knotted, preventing the joint from moving. As the problem prevents the patient from moving the limb, it becomes even stiffer and the shoulder freezes.
This shoulder pain affects the patient’s daily life and limits their ability to work. The quality of life starts to deteriorate and has a negative psychological impact on the patient’s condition. In most cases, shoulder pain may be triggered by a previous injury, illness or surgery. However, there are also cases where there is no specific cause, i.e. the problem occurs without any influence. Frozen shoulder syndrome is most common between the ages of 40 and 50 and most often affects women. It is more likely to develop in people with diabetes, thyroid disease and Parkinson’s disease.
In many cases, the pain may occur at rest and may increase with movement. First turning outwards and then lifting to the side becomes impossible. Because of the long recovery time, it is important to diagnose the condition early so that the pain goes away and the patient regains mobility as soon as possible.
The characteristic left shoulder pain
Pain radiating into the left shoulder requires medical investigation in most cases. The main reason for this is that, in general, left shoulder radiating pain can be caused by various heart conditions. It can be caused by heart attack, myocardial infarction or even myocarditis. Unfortunately, as none of these are problems that can be treated at home, it is advisable to investigate the source of the pain.
It should not be neglected, because left shoulder pain can also be a symptom of heart or heart-related diseases!
Pain radiating to the right shoulder can also develop, usually caused by a bile problem, but this can only be confirmed by a specialist examination. It is very rare but it may also be caused by a digestive problem. And of course sometimes it’s just a simple pulling.
Physiotherapy by a specialist is very important in the treatment as the stiff body part can only regain its strength through manual therapy. They may also give anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers or injections. It is also worth using a herbal balm during the treatment to help the inflammation go away as quickly as possible.
