Our shoulders are an important part of our bodies. They allow us to express emotions, affect our posture, and afford us a wide range of motion. Our shoulders are the joints where our collarbone, shoulder blades, and upper arm bones meet. They are held in place by a group of four different muscles and tendons. This grouping is known as a rotator cuff and it allows us to move and raise our arms. Because our shoulders are the most mobile parts of our body, injuries are incredibly common and can be quite debilitating.
As we age our bodies become less resilient. Muscles and joints become more vulnerable to injuries and recovery can take much longer than in younger bodies. Shoulder injuries are something that should be taken seriously as you get older.
The Most Common Types of Shoulder Injuries
Some of the most common injuries older people experience in the shoulder joint include:
- Muscle Strains – Shoulder sprains are most often caused by trauma directly to the shoulder. They are separated into grades based on the extent of damage done to the ligaments as well as the degree of separation between the shoulder blade and collarbone.
- Dislocations – A dislocation is when your arm pops out of the socket. This type of injury may occur if your shoulder is pulled back or rotated too far. If this occurs you may experience pain and weakness in your shoulder, as well as bruising, swelling, and numbness. According to a study that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it was found that shoulder dislocations cause more rotator cuff issues in older patients than younger ones.
- Rotator Cuff Tear – As we age the tissue of our rotator cuff becomes more brittle and tears more easily. It can become damaged through overuse or in a fall. General wear and tear can be hard on your shoulder, causing you to hear clicking sounds when you use it or experience pain in the evenings and when you try to lift something.
- Arthritis – There are two types of arthritis to be wary of. The most common form, osteoarthritis can affect any joint including your shoulders. As the cartilage in your joints breakdown, the bones will rub together causing you to experience pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes your body’s immune system to attack your joints’ protective lining. Like osteoarthritis, you may experience pain and stiffness.
- Shoulder Bursitis – inside of the shoulder joint is a fluid-filled sac known as the bursa that acts as a cushion for the joints. Repetitive movements can cause the bursa to become swollen and irritated causing pain when you move your shoulder. Your bursa can also become injured due to trauma caused by a fall.
Treatments for Shoulder Injuries
Pay attention to your shoulder pain when it occurs. If the pain is mild, you may just need to make some adjustments to your daily routine and give the joint a bit of a break, take some anti-inflammatory drugs, and do some light stretches. If the pain persists or worsens, it’s important that you see a doctor.
There are a variety of treatments available depending on the type and severity of your shoulder injury, including surgeries. Some of the most common types of surgeries are
- Shoulder Arthroscopy – Arthroscopy is a common and minimally invasive procedure that allows the doctor to locate the damage that needs to be addressed and then repair it. The doctor will make a small incision in your should and insert a tiny camera to find any damage. After, they will make another small incision to repair it.
- Rotator Cuff Surgery – In this surgery the doctor is able to repair the rotator cuff. Depending on the extent of the damage, the doctor may need to perform an arthroscopy before making repairing the rotator cuff.
- Shoulder Arthritis Surgery – Surgery to treat shoulder arthritis is most often performed arthroscopically. In more severe case, the doctor may need to remove a small amount of bone from the collarbone to repair the area. The doctor may also need to replace infected areas of the shoulder with artificial material.
Dr. Skedros- Shoulder Expert
Contact Dr. Skedros today if you are experiencing a shoulder injury. He is an expert in surgical and non-surgical management of various shoulder conditions and a proud member of the society of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. To learn more about the procedures he performs and how he can assist you with your shoulder injury call 801-895-4495.