shoulder & elbow
shoulder injuries
Shoulder injuries can be caused by sports and everyday activities that require excessive overhead motion. The more common athletic activities associated with shoulder injuries include swimming, tennis, pitching or weightlifting.
Activities such as washing walls, hanging curtains and gardening sometimes result in an injury to the shoulder.
If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, ask these questions:
- Is the shoulder stiff? Can you rotate your arm in all of the normal positions?
- Does it feel like your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket?
- Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?
If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you should consult an orthopaedic surgeon for help in determining the severity of the problem.
Click here for more information on the shoulder.
elbow injuries
Common causes of elbow pain include sports injuries, bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion beneath the skin), arthritis, strain, dislocation and infection.
Tendonitis is an inflammation or injury to the soft tissues that attach muscles to the bone. Activities such as gardening, baseball, using a screwdriver or overusing the wrist may cause pain in the elbow.
Tennis elbow, pain due to an injury to the tendons on the outside of the elbow, is caused by playing racquet sports or baseball. Playing golf is more likely to injure the tendons on the inside of the elbow.
Treatment options for elbow pain include rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and/or surgery.
Click here for more information on the elbow.