The most common shoulder injuries are Shoulder Bursitis, injuries to the Rotator Cuff, Frozen Shoulder.

Shoulder Bursitis

The word Bursitis comes from the name bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that helps to reduce friction in the spaces between joints. When it affects the shoulder, the bursa between the shoulder bone and the rotator cuff muscles is squashed when the arm is raised repetitively raised overhead. The first signs of shoulder bursitis are pain on the tip of the shoulder and down the arm. This will be especially apparent when the arm is raised up. Movement of the shoulder will also be diminished and often there is pain if you lie on the tip of the shoulder or touching it.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Another common cause of shoulder pain is a Rotator Cuff injury. This usually begins as inflammation, and makes the whole shoulder area and upper ache. It is commonly knows as tendonitis. If is not treated, it can cause a tear in the Rotator Cuff around the joint. Whereas Physical Therapy could have been effective in treating the tendonitis, once a tear develops it will probably need surgical intervention. It is essential to remember, when in doubt, consult your physician.

Frozen Shoulder Injury

People in the age range between 40 and 60, especially women, are commonly affected by Frozen Shoulder. The first symptom is shoulder pain, which gradually worsens causing loss of movement in the shoulder. This situation can last for anything up to a year, and then gradually start releasing again. Consult your physician who will probably refer you for Physical Therapy as a first line of action. Depending on the condition of the shoulder, more aggressive mobilisation may be necessary to restore mobility in the shoulder. This is done with simultaneous treatment with local anaesthetic and corticosteroid injections.