Shoulder Conditions

Is it Acute or Chronic?

Acute means it happened Suddenly and Chronic means it Progressed over time.

Acute

Is generally the result of Physical Trauma.

• • Fractured Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture)
  • Fractured Shoulder Blade (Scapula Fracture)
  • Rotator Cuff Tears
  • Dislocated Shoulder
  • Shoulder Joint Sprain – Acromioclavicular joint sprain or Separation

Chronic

There are many Factors that can cause Chronic Shoulder pain. It can be one Factor or a Combination of factors.

1. Injuries. Pervious Physical Trauma or an overuse of the Shoulder Joint can result in Rotator Cuff Tears, Dislocations, or Fractures.

2. Inflammation. Conditions that cause inflammation of the Shoulder Joint are Bursitis, Tendinitis, and Impingement Syndrome.

3. Degenerative Conditions. Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Rotator Cuff Tears can result in Chronic Shoulder Pain as the joint and surrounding tissue wears down with time.

4. Nerve Impingements. Sometimes you may have a Pinched Nerve in your Cervical Spine (Cervical Radiculopathy) or Compression and irritation of the nerves in the shoulder.

5. Poor Posture. Poor Posture or Stress can lead to Muscle Strain and resulting shoulder pain.

6. Overuse injury. Repetitive motions, such as throwing a ball, can cause overuse injuries.

7. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis). The Capsule around the joint Thickens and Tightens causing decreased range of motion. Generally, a result of Underlying Pathology and Shoulder Immobilization.

Diagnosis

In order to assess Shoulder Pathology properly. A detailed History, Examination and Imaging are required. Generally a X-ray, MRI or Ultrasound are needed to identify the underlying cause.

Treatment

These symptoms can be Progressive and Worsen over time if the underlying condition is not treated. It is important to see Dr NM van der Berg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, if you experience any of these symptoms.  He will create a Customized Treatment Plan based on your Specific Needs as his patient. Treatment options vary depending on the Cause and the Severity of the condition. It can range from a Steroid Injection into the joint, Oral Medication and Physiotherapy, or Surgery for severe cases.

Some of the Surgeries Dr NM van der Berg performs:

1. Rotator Cuff Injury – Rotator Cuff Repair
2. Impingement Syndrome – Acromioplasty + Sub Acromial Bursectomy
3. Labral tears – Labral Repair or Debridement
4. Bursitis – Bursectomy
5. Tendinitis – Tendon Repair
6. Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) – Arthroscopy of the Shoulder Joint
7. Osteoarthritis – Shoulder Replacement

Early Assessment and Treatment of Shoulder Pathology is Essential for several reasons:

1. Alleviation pain
2. Preservation of function: The sooner the condition is treated, the better the chance of preserving normal shoulder function and preventing further deterioration of the joint.
3. Reduced risk of complications: Early treatment can Reduce the risk of Complications, such as Muscle Weakness, Joint Stiffness, and Chronic pain.
4. Faster recovery: Early intervention can lead to a Faster Recovery, allowing the patient to return to normal activities sooner.
5. Cost-effective: Early treatment can be more Cost-Effective than delaying treatment and allowing the condition to progress.
6. Improved outcome: Early treatment can lead to Improved outcomes, such as Reducing Risk of Surgery and allowing for a return to sport or work.

Some shoulder Pathologies like Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Tear and Osteoarthritis have a Natural Progression or may be caused by underlying conditions like Diabetes or Heart Disease. Early Diagnosis and Management of the underlying condition can prevent the progression of disease and improve the outcome of treatment.