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SHOULDER, ELBOW, and WRIST PAIN
Shoulder pain is fairly common. This is partially due to the design of the joint. We are meant to have a lot of motion in this area for functional movements but this comes at the price of increased instability. This can lead to increased wear and tear, injury, or degeneration. Elbow, wrist, or hand pain can occur with a trauma (such as a fall) or may occur with repetitive movements.
Common shoulder, elbow,wrist, or hand pain problems:
- Impingement Syndrome, Tendonitis, or Rotator Cuff Syndrome: Inflammation, irritation, or tear of the tendons in the muscles of the shoulder that rotate the joint. Can lead to pain in the upper arm and difficulty sleeping on the shoulder. In the case of a complete rotator cuff tear there is difficulty in lifting the arm.
- Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis: shoulder pain and difficulty moving the arm, typically after lack of use of the arm following a painful injury to the shoulder.
- Lateral or Medial Epicondylitis: pain on the outside elbow ("Tennis Elbow") or on the inside elbow ("Golfer's Elbow"). Not necessarily related to tennis or golf, but may occur with repeated movements of the arm and wrist.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: wrist and hand pain and numbness/tingling of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Common with repeitive movements or pregnancy.
- DeQuervains Syndrome: base of thumb pain with grasping and lifting.
Conservative Physical Therapy Management of shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand pain may include:
- Modalities: such as heat and ice
- Manual Therapy: “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement.
- Mobilization and Manipulation: movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
- Therapeutic Exercise: specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement.
- Functional Movement Training: exercises to improve posture and movement.
- Biofeedback: a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.
- Electrical Stimulation or TENS: used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.
Physical Therapists are specialists in restoring movement and function related to muscle, bone, or joint dysfunction. They often work to improve pain and disability. To learn more about PT or find one in your area, check out a consumer oriented site on PT here or the main site of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) here.
*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject. The information provided is always subject to change.*