COLUMN OF KNOWLEDGE

What Causes My Shoulder to Hurt?

By Scott Colombo
When we spring forward into another season, our upper bodies will be working on pushing, pulling, and other repetitive movements to clean up the yard, and perform the annual spring cleaning. Because of all the activity, our shoulders may become painful or sore.

The shoulder is a very movable joint similar to the hip in that the shoulder can move up and down; side to side and rotate forward and backward. The anatomy of the shoulder promotes mobility and compromises stability. This imbalance can lead to many disorders of the shoulder which can lead to pain and debilitation.

There is a precise rhythm in our shoulder with the shoulder blade. Muscles play such a significant role in maintaining enough stability for the shoulder to work efficiently and effectively. The deep shoulder muscles are called the rotator cuff. There are four muscles of the rotator cuff that surround the top, front and back of the shoulder. As we raise our arm, the rotator cuff steers the shoulder and maintains the stability in the shoulder for it to work effectively.

Because of the importance of dynamic stability, muscle fatigue and overload can cause numerous shoulder conditions. An overload like lifting can cause a strain to the rotator cuff. The degree of strain is measured in grades 1, 2 or a complete tear which is graded a 3. Another cause of shoulder pain is fatigue or weakness of the rotator cuff and /or scapular stabilizers. These two factors can contribute to a rubbing of the rotator cuff muscles, and bursa along the top of the shoulder primarily with chest height and overhead movements. This rubbing is called impingement and can cause pain, and swelling.

Any swelling in the shoulder can cause scarring and tightness in the joint. With the lack of mobility, this tightness can cause greater impingement and pain like symptoms. Night pain is common and can affect sleep.