| article is merely a tool to help you figure out possible | | | | accurate thermometer. If you do, and in addition have |
| causes for your shoulder discomfort. It should not be | | | | either swelling or redness in the shoulder area you |
| used in lieu of a visit to your doctor, but will give you | | | | should seek medical attention urgently, as you could |
| some information which will help you determine how | | | | have BURSITIS or an INFECTION. |
| urgently you should seek medical advice. | | | | • If you have a fever and in addition have |
| Did your shoulder pain begin with a fall or some other | | | | recently suffered from a throat or skin infection, you |
| external physical trauma? | | | | could have RHEUMATIC FEVER. You need to make |
| YES | | | | an appointment to see your doctor urgently to have |
| • If it felt as if your joint ‘popped’ | | | | this diagnosed and treated. |
| out of its socket it is possibly DISLOCATED. Even if it | | | | • If your temperature is normal, and you have |
| rights itself you should still get to the ER to have it | | | | redness and swelling at the site as well as at other |
| checked out by a medical professional. | | | | joints, you may have a form of ARTHIRITIS or GOUT. |
| • If the upper arm, collar bone has taken on an | | | | Your doctor can help you with anti-inflammatory |
| unusual / abnormal shape or has a new | | | | medication and advice on managing the symptoms |
| ‘bump’ on it you may have a | | | | once he has made a definite diagnosis. |
| FRACTURE. You need to see a doctor right away. | | | | • If you have no fever, but experience pain |
| • If there is tenderness near the collar bone | | | | with movement but no swelling or redness, try |
| which is alleviated by lifting the arm using the opposite | | | | anti-inflammatory medicine. If it does not respond, and |
| hand, you may have SHOULDER SEPARATION. | | | | persists, have your doctor check for BURSITIS or |
| While not a medical emergency you should have your | | | | ROTAR CUFF SYNDROME. |
| doctor check it out. In the interim use analgesics and a | | | | • If you have a noticeable increase in stiffness |
| home-made sling to ease the pain. | | | | and increasingly limited mobility of the joint you could be |
| • If your shoulder feels weak, and twisting or | | | | experiencing the start of FROZEN SHOULDER. Your |
| throwing actions make the pain worse, you may have | | | | doctor will confirm this, treat the symptoms and assist |
| a TORN ROTAR CUFF. You need to call your doctor. | | | | you in preventing it from getting worse. |
| NO | | | | We hope you find this informative and useful. If in any |
| • Check for an elevated fever, using an | | | | doubt seek medical attention right away. |