fbpx

Nothing is more important than protecting our most vulnerable population during this period of uncertainty. Learn more about how 911 Pain Management is keeping clients safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

911 Pain Management: More Life, Less Pain.

Our facility is free from unnecessary wait times and we provide the best experience for our patients. This is made possible by our incredible staff and our nationally renowned pain management specialist, Dr. Liu MD, who has over 30 years of scientific research and clinical experience in her profession.

Our number one priority is patient safety and positive treatment outcomes. We provide treatments free of anxiety with a short-term sedation so you can go home with the least possible discomfort.

By cobaltmoe | June 22nd, 2021 |

The Basic Anatomy of Our Shoulders

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made of a number of interconnected parts, soft tissues, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the upper part of the shoulder blade to the collarbone (clavicle), and then the glenohumeral joint connects the shoulder sockets to the arm bone (humerus).

Ligaments that connect the various bones that make up the shoulder joint include:

  • Coraco-clavicular ligaments – connect the collarbone to the shoulder blade.
  • Acromioclavicular ligament – connects the scapula to the thorax.
  • Coracoacromial ligament – triangular muscle that connects the clavicle to the caracoid process of the scapula.
  • Glenohumeral ligaments – a group of three ligaments that provide stability to the otherwise unstable shoulder joint by preventing dislocation.

Soft tissues, known as articular cartilage, in the shoulder help to allow the bones to move without friction, providing smoother movement. The cartilage also helps to reduce pressure and acts as a shock absorber during shoulder movement.

Muscles of the shoulder include the main group of 4 muscles known as the rotator cuff. These muscles provide stability and allow the shoulder to move in a wide range of motion.

Tendons are strong tissues that connect the shoulder muscles to the bones, allowing for controlled movement. Bicep tendons and rotator cuff tendons provide stability and mobility to the shoulder joint.

Additional components of the shoulder include nerves and blood vessels.

Typical Causes of Shoulder Injuries and Pain

Unfortunately, it is the shoulder’s flexibility and mobility that make it prone to injury. The stress placed on the various components of the shoulder–muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues–can lead to your shoulder pain.

The most common shoulder injuries that lead to shoulder pain include sprains, strains, and tears. Alongside pain, individuals may also experience stiffness, restricted movements, difficulty in performing routine activities, and popping sensations.

Shoulder injuries can take many forms; sometimes an injury happens suddenly and other times they take place gradually after years of overuse. Causes of shoulder injury and pain, include:

I. Sudden (Acute) Injuries

Sudden injuries can occur at any moment, whether because of a fall on an outstretched arm, a direct blow to the shoulder, or some other abnormal movement of the shoulder. An acute shoulder injury will generally cause severe pain suddenly.

Acute injuries include:

  • Bruises
  • Contusions
  • Pulled muscles (strains)
  • Broken bones including fractures or breaks
  • Separation of the shoulder
  • Nerve damage
  • Tendon injuries
  • Dislocation

II. Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries occur when continued stress is placed on a specific joint or other tissue in the shoulder, often caused by repetitive activities such as sports or even manual labor. Examples of overuse injuries include:

  • Inflammation
  • Tendinitis
  • Muscle strain
  • Frozen shoulder

III. Other Causes of Shoulder Pain

Alongside sudden injuries or overuse injuries, individuals may deal with muscle pain as a result of:

  • Poor posture
  • Pain from elsewhere on your body that leads to shoulder pain
  • A breakdown of the cartilage in your shoulder
  • Calcium buildup in the tendons of the shoulder
  • Herniated discs in the neck
  • Whiplash extending down to the shoulder
  • Pinched nerves near the shoulder
  • Infections in the bone or joints
  • Abuse

About the Various Types of Shoulder Injuries

Torn Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons joining the upper arm with the shoulder socket. Injury to this cluster of muscles and tendons can result in a dull ache in the shoulder, arm weakness, and reach issues and can worsen if the patient sleeps on the injured side.

Dislocation

When your shoulder joint comes out of the shoulder socket it is called a dislocation. Dislocation of the shoulder joint causes severe pain. Shoulder dislocations can lead to muscle damage or chronic conditions if not treated properly.

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissue injuries can also cause pain in the shoulder area. Though more common than any injury to the bone, untreated soft tissue injuries can lead to tearing and consistent pain.

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains refer to the stretching or tearing of ligaments, muscles, or tendons. These types of shoulder injuries are common in those who play sports.

Tendinitis

This type of injury leads to painful inflammation to tendons in the shoulder.

Bursitis

Another form of inflammation, bursitis directly affects the fluid-filled sac known as the brush that helps to protect joints in the shoulder.

Fractures

Direct blows to the shoulder not only damage the tissues surrounding the structure but they can lead to fractures or breaks in the shoulder bones themselves.

How Our Pain Management Clinic Can Help Treat Shoulder Injuries

Our pain management doctors are excited to offer a wide range of treatments to help resolve your pain issues. Using a variety of medical pain management services, we can help to live a pain-free life once again:

More Life, Less Pain. At 911 Pain Management, Treating Our Patients’ Source of Pain is Our Expertise.

Schedule a Consultation

Sources Of Acute Pain

Knee

Suffer from knee pain? This part of the body is a complex network of nerves, cartilage, and muscle, and every step can signal that something is wrong. If you need pain relief fast, let 911 Pain Management take care of your knee pain today.

Learn More

Arm

Your daily life routine over time can cause significant arm pain, and it can continue if you don’t seek out adequate pain management from an experienced pain management doctor. Learn more about your treatment options now.

Learn More

Neck

Neck pain shouldn’t stop you from doing what you need to do during the day, especially when plenty of options to relieve pain are available at 911 Pain Management. Seize the day and learn more about potential causes for your neck pain and how we can treat it.

Learn More

Leg

You don’t have to be an athlete to suffer from leg pain. Muscle strains, broken bones, and joint pain can affect anyone, but that doesn't mean that you must suffer in silence. Get the fast pain management treatment you need for your legs today.

Learn More

Lower Back

No matter if you hit the gym, work in an environment that requires heavy lifting, or are just feeling the effects of aging, lower back pain and stiffness can demobilize you if you aren’t careful. 911 Pain Management helps patients overcome lower back pain with solid pain management solutions.

Learn More

the patient Journey

About Dr Liu

Yixiang Liu MD is a nationally renowned pain management physician in McAllen, Texas. She has never settled for less when it comes to healing others, and her medical training, education, and experience ensure that you get the best in pain management available to you.


Read Dr. Yixiang
Liu's Bio