Shoulder Injuries at Home
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By: Robert Lim, PTA
What Are 3 Common Shoulder Injuries?
Often times it is asked how shoulder injuries at home are treated. What are 3 most common shoulder injuries? The quick answer is the three most common shoulder injuries that we see in physical therapy are rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement and frozen shoulder.
A rotator cuff tear happens when any of the tendons of the rotator cuff tears either partially or completely. Rotator cuff tears are the most common type of shoulder injury of all. Next common shoulder injury we see in physical therapy is shoulder impingement. Shoulder impingement happens when one or more rotator cuff tendons gets pinched between the shoulder bones during arm movement especially when reaching upwards or out to the side causing extreme pain and inflammation of the rotator cuff. The third common shoulder injury is frozen shoulder or also known as adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder is caused when the shoulder capsule thickens and bands of tissue called adhesions can also contribute to the stiffness. Pain is also caused by a decrease in the synovial fluid in the joint, which is meant to reduce friction during movement.
Image of Man Holding His Shoulder Injury at Home
Can I Treat A Shoulder Injuries At Home?
What is the best way to treat a shoulder injury at home? The quick answer is the best way to treat a shoulder injury at home, especially if it is acute is to ice it down. The use of ice is the easiest way to decrease inflammation and swelling without having to take meds. Another way to treat a shoulder injuries at home will be to take over the counter meds such as NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Rest is another way treat a shoulder injury at home. Rest is a great way to limit movement that may cause an increase in swelling or inflammation in the shoulder. If pain continues to get worse, it is advisable to contact your MD for further evaluation.
What Are Some Shoulder Exercises I Can Do At Home?
If you have been diagnosed with any of the shoulder injuries mentioned above by an MD, your MD might have issued you some shoulder exercises to do at home or your MD might prescribe you physical therapy. With COVID19 on the rise, you have the option to attend physical therapy in clinic or even do physical therapy via video conference (ZOOM, Microsoft Teams/ Facetime/ act). First, proper education of your injury is key. The goal of this step is to help the individual understand how their posture and biomechanics may have contributed to their injury, and also to teach them how to avoid those issues in the future. The most common type of shoulder exercises you can do at home are range of motion exercises, strength exercises and functional strengthening exercises. To further avoid further injury, ask your MD to refer you to physical therapy.
What Does A Torn Rotator Cuff In Your Shoulder Feel Like?
The most common types of symptoms of a torn rotator cuff is pain that radiates from the upper part of the shoulder that moves down to the elbow. Difficulty moving the shoulder to perform basic activities of daily living, A dully, achy sensation in the shoulder and upper arm, or pain when moving the arm overhead.
When Should I See A Doctor?
It’s advisable to see a doctor when the pain gets above a 5/10 on the pain scale (0 is no pain but 10 is go the emergency room). Also when the lost of function such has being able to cook, clean, groom and perform tasks become extremely difficult.
Does Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy can help tremendously with your shoulder injury. Physical therapy can educate you on what caused your injury and how to avoid any further injury in the future. Evaluation of movement patterns especially for athletes or individuals that use their shoulder for jobs that cause a lot of stress to the shoulder. You will be educated on how to correct improper form and improper body mechanics. You will be issued range of motion and strength exercises to do at home. These exercises are specifically for you since each person is different.
Also if you have recently had a shoulder surgery watch our video on How to Properly Put on an UltraSling 4 or Dressing the Upper Body After an Injury or Surgery
To schedule physical therapy at one of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045.
Shoulder injuries should not be ignored. To learn about the 5 shoulder symptoms you should not ignore read this ARTICLE. To learn why shoulder pain can’t wait, read this ARTICLE or watch this VIDEO.
Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
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You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.
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