Collarbone Pain
Broken collarbone easy treatments and diagnosis

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is often seen amongst adults beyond certain age but make no mistake; it can affect practically anyone and can affect the quality of their lives. This syndrome
is associated with shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff tendonitis, or a combination of both. When
there’s an injury to the rotator cuff muscles, they tend to swell up and it affects the bones around
them.

It can cause a chain of events including pressure build up in muscles that compresses blood
vessels and thereby affects flow of blood. It leads to muscle tissues fraying, which makes certain
motions like reaching up behind your back or overhead, not only painful but next to impossible
for many. These are the common grouses people who suffer from Shoulder Impingement
Syndrome have.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Keep an eye on the symptoms

Some of the common symptoms include difficulty in reaching up behind the back or to raise your
arm up. These motions can be excruciatingly painful for those who suffer from this syndrome,
who also notice a general weakness in their muscles.

Long term injuries can lead to muscles tearing in two, which is called rotator cuff tear. This in
turn leads to your muscles being weakened to a great extent and it will affect your ability to use
your arm. When impingement process is not arrested in time, it can cause bicep muscles to tear
as well.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: The diagnosis

If you have noticed any of these symptoms in you, a family member or friend, you need to
consult your physician at the earliest. Your diagnosis will depend on your medical history
and also a physical examination that you will have to undergo. X-ray scans will have to be
done to eliminate arthritis. These scans often show changes in the natural bone contour,
which is considered to be a sign of impingement. To confirm impingement, an injection with
small amount of anesthetic is given in the space under shoulder bones. If it relieves pain then
impingement syndrome can be confirmed.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: The treatment

When it comes to impingement syndrome it’s crucial to understand the actual condition rather
than the symptoms. Often anti inflammatory medication is the chosen course of action. Patients
have to take this medication for a few weeks but this only treats the symptoms while the
underlying issue persists. After a few months the symptoms often come back. Unfortunately,
there is no specific medication for impingement and if one anti inflammatory drug doesn’t work
for a patient within a couple of weeks, then another one can be tried out.

Warm showers are known to help those suffering from this condition and they are also advised to
avoid repetitive activities involving their arm.

If pain persists and is unbearable, doctors often opt for cortisone injections. These injections are
not always the preferred option because they can weaken your muscles. If you still experience
pain, an MRI test might have to be done and if it shows rotator cuff tear, then surgery might be
needed to repair the damage.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome can have a long term impact on your life; hence you need to
take it seriously if you see the symptoms for it.

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Posted by Orthopedic Doctor - April 5, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Categories: Shoulder pain   Tags: ,

Scapular pain

Scapular Pain: Causes And Remedies

Scapular Pain can put those suffering from it in extreme discomfort, particularly when they are trying to move their shoulders. Scapula, also referred to as the shoulder blade is the triangular bone on your shoulders. The arm bone is attached to your ribs through this bone, which might help you realize its significance. Pain originating in your shoulder blades is often associated with excessive physical activity and can lead to reduced movement in shoulders. It can also cause acute pain during certain movements like lifting buckets for example and one might also experience pain that radiates from the back of the shoulder.

Scapular Pain: What causes it?

While you might experience pain while performing your regular activities occasionally, it becomes a worry when the pain is persistent. In that case it could be a result of a deeper underlying condition that will have to be looked into immediately. Scapular Pain can be caused by a variety of reasons and some of them are mentioned below:

  • Improper sleeping position can lead to pain in your shoulders and you will commonly experience it when you wake up in the morning. Your shoulder blades will be put through strain if you sleep on one side for a long time or don’t use the right pillow while sleeping. That’s why the importance of a good pillow that reduces stress on your shoulders cannot be overemphasized. A lot has to be said about sleeping on your back as well, which many doctors believe is the best sleeping position.
  • Your scapular bone can be strained because of activities that are repeated on a regular basis. Sports like badminton and tennis, which require the use of your shoulders to a great extent, can lead to this pain too.
  • Osteoporosis, which is often seen in people of advanced age, and leads to decline in bone density, can also be one of the reasons behind pain in your scapular bone.
  • A fracture in the bone can be caused due to an injury, which could be a result of an accident. This can lead to unbearable pain and movement of your arms might be restricted as well.
  • Osteoarthritis can also be a reason for pain in your scapular bone.
  • If the pain is observed not only on your shoulder blade but down your arm too, then it could be due to a pinched nerve in the neck.
  • Rotator cuff injury can lead to Scapular Pain.

Scapular Pain: Exercises can offer you relief

Medication is available for treatment of this condition and you can also seek help from your physician. However simple exercises done at home can also offer you relief from pain. Shoulder stretches that can be done while sitting or standing up can stretch muscles around your scapula and offer you relief. Pull Aparts with the help of rubber resistance bands are helpful as well; while several yoga positions including Warrior II can help you combat this pain and debilitating condition.

Scapular Pain can be restricting and excruciating but you can get over it by following simple measures and taking easy to follow precautions.

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Posted by Orthopedic Doctor - March 6, 2012 at 8:27 am

Categories: Shoulder pain   Tags: ,

Reasons behind broken collar bone, treatment and recovery

A broken collarbone or broken clavicle can be very painful, all the more so because collarbone forms the major support between breastbone to the shoulder blades, and even the slightest movement could serve to aggravate the pain further. While a broken clavicle is a well-known problem for athletes and sportspersons, many a time it could be a result of an accident or trauma, while the sufferer not being able to identify the reason for the excruciating pain. What causes a broken collar, what is the right treatment plan and what are the steps to be followed to ensure a speedy recovery? Read on to find out more:

Reasons for a broken collar bone

The clavicle can break due to an accident, a fierce blow or hit, or due to an unexpected and sharp fall. The clavicle sometimes serves as a protection aid while one falls on his or her shoulder or arm, the blow of which can transfer the shock to the collarbone, which would then crack or break in order to reduce the force. A genetic predisposition towards weak bones can bring upon a broken collarbone as well, in addition to an acquired problematic bone condition like bone cancer, arthritis or osteoporosis.

Identifying a broken collarbone

Recognizing a broken or hurt clavicle is very easy, as the pain and unease in the affected area is hard to miss. Many a time the crack is quite audible, which often is followed by a contusion or bump in the area of the impact. Difficulty of motion, inability to perform even simple chores with hands, sagging shoulder and swelling near the neck or shoulder bone is pretty common, too. It is always best to confirm the occurrence of a broken clavicle with the help of an X-ray examination and consultation with a physician on an immediate basis, as quick identification helps one to take the required steps for effective healing.

Treatment for a broken collar bone

A broken collarbone can usually heal on its own with time, provided that one takes all the precautions and follows the instructions provided by the doctor in order to ease the pain. Medications like ibuprofen along with an anti-inflammatory tablet would serve to ease the pain, while wearing an eight-shaped bandage or a sling onto the area of break in order to prevent the movement of the broken bone and applying icepacks would serve to speed up the healing process. It takes around seven to twelve weeks for a broken clavicle to heal completely, and the healing speed differs for each case according to the extent of impact and injury. Sometimes, a broken clavicle protrudes from the skin or accompanied with other bruises, leading to discoloration in the affected area and severe pain, which can require a surgery by an experienced orthopedist for setting the inclination right.

Follow up / recovery process for a broken collar bone

It is best to visit the doctor regularly for about 6 months after the healing, so as to prevent any further complication. Avoiding sports and rigorous exercising, and sticking to gradual strengthening exercises for about 6 months would be wise.

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Posted by Orthopedic Doctor - January 15, 2012 at 10:11 am

Categories: collarbone pain, Shoulder pain   Tags: ,