| Shoulder bursitis is one of the most common causes | | | | to the elbow or wrist. This bursitis pain can be |
| of upper arm pain. The shoulder bursa can be | | | | affected by lying on the affected side or trying to |
| described as a bag filled with fluid that lubricates and | | | | reach above your head. |
| surrounds the muscles and tendons of the shoulder. | | | | Some people have what's called a "painful arc of |
| When inflammation occurs, this is called bursitis. When | | | | movement." This simply means that there is no pain |
| bursitis pain attacks the shoulder, diagnosis and | | | | when the arm is not moving, but they develop pain |
| treatment is required to restore the shoulder back to | | | | when attempting to lift the arm. This usually occurs |
| it's normal state. | | | | when raising the arm to about 60 degrees of elevation. |
| The shoulder actually has more than one bursa. The | | | | Once the arm extends beyond the 90 degree point, |
| subdeltoid bursa is the largest one, and the one that is | | | | the pain eases or subsides completely. |
| most likely to cause a problem. The subdeltoid bursa is | | | | Diagnosis and Treatment |
| also referred to the subacromial bursa. When the | | | | Your doctor will perform an exam and a series of |
| subdeltoid bursa becomes inflamed or irritated, it can | | | | manual tests, one of which is called an impingement |
| be difficult to move the shoulder or even perform daily | | | | test. This is to determine whether there is inflammation |
| activities that involve use of the arm. | | | | of the bursa or the tendons. |
| What Causes Bursitis in the Shoulder | | | | It may be necessary to perform blood tests and/or |
| Injury is the most common cause of shoulder bursitis. | | | | x-rays. An ultrasound is most commonly used to |
| This can be a result of a fall, a blow to the shoulder, or | | | | diagnosis true bursitis. |
| even overuse, such as exercising or repetitive | | | | There are several treatments options used for bursitis. |
| movements that a person is unaccustomed to. | | | | Your physician may recommend one or all of them. |
| Overuse of the shoulder joint and muscles can lead to | | | | * Pain medication or anti-inflammatory medications |
| pain that can be quite debilitating. Sometimes the pain | | | | * Rest the affected area |
| seems to start out of the blue with no recollection of | | | | * Physical therapy performed by a physical therapist, |
| injury or any event to trigger the pain. Inflammation | | | | chiropractor, or osteopath |
| associated with the shoulder tendon is called | | | | * Securing the shoulder by utilizing a sling or brace |
| "tendonitis." | | | | * Acupuncture |
| Symptoms Associated with Shoulder Bursitis | | | | * Natural supplements to restore the shoulder back to |
| With shoulder bursitis, chronic joint pain is the main | | | | its normal function |
| problem. The pain typically starts out gradual and | | | | * Arthroscopic surgery to remove the bursa |
| increases over time. The pain normally is located on | | | | The first thing you must do is determine whether or |
| the outer part of the shoulder and can sometimes be | | | | not you have bursitis. Once a diagnosis is made, your |
| sudden and severe. | | | | physician can implement an appropriate treatment plan |
| This pain can be felt over the deltoid muscle area | | | | for you. |
| around the shoulder. It can also spread down the arm | | | | |