Determining the Cause of Anterior Shoulder Pain

Determining the Cause of Anterior Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is one of the most complex and largest joints within the body. Therefore, there are a lot of ways you can injure it on a day-to-day basis.

Most commonly, shoulder pain occurs in the posterior (back) of the shoulder. However, there are a few types of injuries which can lead to pain in the anterior (front) of the shoulder. If you’re experiencing anterior shoulder pain, determining the root cause is crucial before treatment can be recommended. Here, you’ll discover some of the most common causes of anterior shoulder pain and the types of treatments available.

Anterior shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common injuries to result in pain throughout the shoulder. If it becomes inflamed or injured, it can lead to anterior shoulder pain. The type of pain experienced can range from more of a dull aching, to sharp, intense pain and even potentially immobility.

Most commonly, an injury to the tendons of the rotator cuff is caused by repetitive injury. However, you can also damage the rotator cuff through a sudden injury. These types of injuries tend to lead to other symptoms too such as shoulder weakness, popping of the shoulder and with severe tears, you may struggle to actually use the shoulder and arm.

Anterior shoulder pain and fractures, breakages and injured tendons The most common causes of anterior shoulder pain are fractures, breakages and injured tendons. If you place a lot of repetitive strain onto the shoulders, through heavy lifting for example, or through playing sports, it can lead to a repetitive injury.

If you’re suffering from a fracture, you’ll typically notice severe pain, along with bruising and swelling. They tend to result from a fall onto the arm or shoulder. There’s also the possibility that you may have dislocated the shoulder. If the arm looks out of place, or if there is pain, numbness, weakness and swelling, it’s likely a dislocation injury.

Anterior shoulder pain and Adhesive Capsulitis Also referred to as frozen shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis typically develops if the shoulder hasn’t been used properly. It can occur through biceps tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy or trauma to the shoulder.

If this is the cause of your shoulder troubles, you’ll experience pain, as well as a decrease in the motion of the arm. Your shoulder joint may also feel stiff.

Anterior shoulder pain and shoulder osteoarthritis Finally, osteoarthritis can also cause anterior shoulder pain. Also referred to as wear and tear arthritis, it’s caused when the bones rub against one another, wearing away the

cartilage between them. Common symptoms of osteoarthritis in the shoulder include pain, stiffness and swelling of the joint.

Different types of shoulder injuries will require different types of treatment and delaying seeking diagnosis and treatment, typically means the problem will worsen rather than resolve itself. For an appointment with the London Shoulder Specialists, call 0203 195 2442.

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