TotalPerformance_PT Solutions for Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist…

SOLUTIONS FOR SHOULDER, ELBOW AND WRIST PAIN

What Do My Symptoms Mean? Aching or stiffness around the front or the side of the shoulder is often due to a tendon/rotator cuff injury. In comparison, pain in the back of the shoulder is likely coming from the joint itself. Although some think the top part or shoulder blade is the “shoulder,” they refer to muscles and/or the neck and not the shoulder itself. Clarifying the location of your pain will help your physical therapist figure out the source of your pain and the appropriate plan to resolve it. The inner and outer aspect of the elbow is commonly thought to be where most people experience tendon or ligament injuries. Typically, the pain will be sharp at the junction of the tendon and bone but may also move toward the forearm when the injury is tendon-related or caused by inflammation. A decreased range of motion is often associated with arthritis. Still, weakness or clumsiness when gripping or holding onto things can be signs of deeper problems. It may indicate a more severe condition: the more dysfunction and disability, the more your conditions warrant seeking help sooner than later. Ignoring your pain or waiting too long to be seen can make the problem worse and eliminate simple solutions.

Are you experiencing pain and weakness in your arm? Is it difficult to lift and hold things you use in your daily routine? You could be suffering from tendon dysfunction or even arthritis in your joints. Whether your pain results from an injury or repetitive stress, it’s often the result of underlying trauma or inflammation of the tendons, cartilage, or nerves in the arm. Your pain can be so severe that doing normal activities of daily living seems impossible. While the pain may feel serious, it’s entirely curable. Call our clinic today to make an appointment. With guidance from your physical therapist, you can find solutions to your pain and get back to living the life you enjoy! What Is Causing the Pain? Limited shoulder movement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities (eating, dressing, personal hygiene) and work responsibilities. Factors such as heavy lifting, repetitive movements (especially in awkward positions), and vibrations influence the severity of symptoms and disability. The most common causes of shoulder pain and disability are: • Rotator cuff disorders • Joint disorders • Arthritis and bone spurs • Referred neck pain

• Bursitis and tendinitis Overuse injuries often cause elbow pain. Many sports, hobbies, and jobs require repetitive movements leading to overuse. The leading causes of elbow pain and dysfunction are: • Tennis and Golfer’s elbow (i.e., tendinitis) • Ligament sprains • Arthritis • Broken and/or dislocated elbow Wrist pain is most common in groups participating in physically demanding activities like manual laborers and jobs that require computer use or repetitive movements. The leading causes of wrist pain are: • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Arthritis • Wrist tendinitis • Repetitive motion syndrome Shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain are often the result of workplace injury and repetitive stress injuries. While it is sometimes possible to take action to prevent an injury from developing, it is crucial to be able to recognize when an injury develops and to get help. Find your physical therapist so they can identify what may have caused the pain to start and what you can do to resolve it.

continues >>

Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5