How to Heal Temporary Shoulder Nerve Pain
Do you suffer from shoulder nerve pain? Although not nearly as common a cause for extreme shoulder pain as a muscle problem is it can happen. This type of pain will present in a similar fashion to a rotator cuff injury and the differences can be hard to determine. This article will offer some information regarding this type of problem.
Symptoms in the shoulder or upper arm that are caused by nerve damage are typically due to a problem with the axillary nerve. This nerve supplies the deltoid muscle which is one of the main muscles that helps move the shoulder joint. This nerve can be damaged due to a trauma involving the arm, a stretching injury or after surgery in that area or if the arm was held in a position that stretches the nerve for a prolonged time.
The most common symptoms that you may experience from chronic shoulder pain or shoulder nerve pain are weakness, difficulty raising the arm overhead, forward or to the side, numbness and tingling in the area of the shoulder and possibly some swelling. These symptoms may vary in intensity but since a nerve is involved they are typically constant in nature. Depending on the degree of involvement the shoulder joint pain and weakness could be severe significantly limit your ability to perform normal activities.
Once a proper diagnosis has been made by a qualified physician possible treatment for this problem may include anti-inflammatory medication which may be in the form of an injection. You will also need to perform strengthening and ROM exercises to maintain the integrity of the muscle and flexibility of the joint until the nerve heals. In severe cases where the symptoms are not resovling surgery may be indicated. This decision can only be made by a qualified surgeon.
Shoulder nerve pain is not that common a problem but when it does occur there are options for treatment. It may resolve on its own if the nerve damage is minor. The most important thing to do in this case is consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and coordination of care. Surgery should be a last resort in any situation causing extreme or shoulder joint pain. All conservative measures should be exhausted first.
Symptoms in the shoulder or upper arm that are caused by nerve damage are typically due to a problem with the axillary nerve. This nerve supplies the deltoid muscle which is one of the main muscles that helps move the shoulder joint. This nerve can be damaged due to a trauma involving the arm, a stretching injury or after surgery in that area or if the arm was held in a position that stretches the nerve for a prolonged time.
The most common symptoms that you may experience from chronic shoulder pain or shoulder nerve pain are weakness, difficulty raising the arm overhead, forward or to the side, numbness and tingling in the area of the shoulder and possibly some swelling. These symptoms may vary in intensity but since a nerve is involved they are typically constant in nature. Depending on the degree of involvement the shoulder joint pain and weakness could be severe significantly limit your ability to perform normal activities.
Once a proper diagnosis has been made by a qualified physician possible treatment for this problem may include anti-inflammatory medication which may be in the form of an injection. You will also need to perform strengthening and ROM exercises to maintain the integrity of the muscle and flexibility of the joint until the nerve heals. In severe cases where the symptoms are not resovling surgery may be indicated. This decision can only be made by a qualified surgeon.
Shoulder nerve pain is not that common a problem but when it does occur there are options for treatment. It may resolve on its own if the nerve damage is minor. The most important thing to do in this case is consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and coordination of care. Surgery should be a last resort in any situation causing extreme or shoulder joint pain. All conservative measures should be exhausted first.