When the check engine light in your car turns on, you just ignore it. You continue to drive for months as if the light's not even there. One day, the car engine suddenly dies while you're cruising along the highway doing 55 in the fast lane.
A similar experience happens to people suffering from shoulder joint pain. When the pain starts growing, you just ignore it. You hope it will go away, or you find ways to compensate for the pain instead of seeking treatment. Before you know it, you literally can't move your shoulder.
Here are 6 reasons why shoulder joint pain is like car trouble and why ignoring it will cost you later on down the road.
It Occurs in Many Different Models
Car trouble doesn't just affect ones with lots of mileage, it can happen to any make or model. Likewise, seniors aren't the only ones who experience shoulder joint pain. Shoulder pain can happen to people of all ethnic backgrounds, women and men, old and young.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Warning Signs Indicate Future Trouble
Just like your check engine light signals something is wrong under the hood, shoulder joint pain can indicate serious bone problems.
The symptom is telling you to to pay attention, but too often people are too busy or lazy to deal with it.
Getting to the Root Cause of Trouble is Key
Your car's dashboard has tons of lights that warn you of specific kinds of trouble. Shoulder joint pain also indicates specific trouble.
Several shoulder problems can cause shoulder pain. Most of the problems fall into the following categories:
- Tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis)
- Instability
- Arthritis
- Bone fracture
Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Ignoring Chronic Problems Will Cost You
Shoulder joint pain often causes pain and inflammation. What happens if you leave these symptoms untreated?
Like a damaged engine can immobilize your car, symptoms of shoulder pain can do the same for you.
When shoulder pain is caused by arthritis, it can cause swelling, pain, and stiffness. Although symptoms can come and go, over time they can also get progressively worse, especially if left untreated.
Arthritis can severely limit your daily activities, such as:
- Standing
- Bending
- Walking
- Climbing stairs
Getting diagnosed and treated for arthritis early is critical.
Source: Arthritis Foundation
Certain Problems Demand Immediate Attention
Sometimes, shoulder joint pain isn't chronic, but occurs suddenly like a flat tire, which calls for immediate repair. The same applies to fractures.
The shoulder is made up of three bones, and the humerus, or upper arm bone, is one of them. A fractured humerus can cause severe shoulder pain and needs immediate treatment.
Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
One-Time Problems Can Easily Become Chronic
And what may seem like a one-time pain can go on and on if not addressed properly the first time.
It's kind of like that small crack in the corner of your windshield, now a giant spiderweb across the middle. The same notion applies to joint pain caused by shoulder dislocation.
Shoulder instability happens when the upper arm bone dislocates. Once the dislocation happens, it might repeat in the future, becoming a chronic problem.
Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Free Shoulder Pain Seminar
Thursday, September 10, 5:30pm
Dr. Michael Daines, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist, will discuss how the shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body and one of the most difficult to treat. Topics covered include causes and various types of shoulder pain, how to prevent further damage of the shoulder and when to see a doctor, and Cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical management of common shoulder problems.
$webqFacilityNumber
Need a Physician?