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By Dr. Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, MS, CSCS
It’s November, and raking leaves, shoveling snow, reaching to hang heavy holiday decorations– as we go into the winter season, it’s a good time to talk about causes, treatment, and prevention of shoulder injuries.
Why does my shoulder hurt?
The shoulder joint is a complex mechanism surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and tendons that all contribute to keeping the joint intact and providing the full range of motion. Shoulder pain and impaired mobility can result from irritation or injury to any of these working parts. Suddenly or gradually, you may notice your shoulder hurts during activities that did not cause pain before.
The most common culprits of shoulder pain are overuse, strains, accidents, sports injuries, and arthritis.
What should I do?
The number one thing to do is to consult your doctor. They may order X-Ray, MRI or CT scans, or other tests to find out what’s causing pain in your shoulder. Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist, who will examine your injury and establish the best course of treatment.
If you prefer, you can see your Scerbo Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine therapist first for an initial assessment of your injury.
How will my shoulder pain be treated?
Treatment generally involves rest, modifying your activities, and orthopedic physical therapy to help you improve shoulder strength and flexibility. To reduce swelling and pain, your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and steroid injections.
If your pain interferes with daily life and is not relieved with nonsurgical options, your doctor may consider surgery. At Scerbo, our physical therapists are thoroughly experienced with pre-and post-surgery rehabilitation.
How can I prevent shoulder pain in the future?
Some causes of shoulder pain are preventable, others are not. To help with prevention, try not to overexert or overdo activities that you don’t do regularly.
It’s important to have your pain assessed
Sometimes people assume that joint pain is something that will go away on its own, but waiting may result in a worsening of symptoms. If you experience pain or reduced mobility in your shoulder or any joint, please call us to schedule an appointment with a Scerbo physical therapist. At Scerbo, we want you to enjoy the fall and winter season pain-free.
