How Can You Tell if a Shoulder Injury Is Serious?

Many people sustain shoulder injuries while playing a sport or during a car crash, leaving them in pain and vulnerable. To prevent the injury from permanently damaging your shoulder and surrounding tissues, see a specialist for treatment. The following are some ways to help you know if a shoulder injury is serious:

Intense Pain

If you feel severe pain in your shoulder joint, arm, and neck, the injury could be serious and require medical attention. The soreness may worsen with specific movements, such as lifting, reaching, or sleeping on it. You may experience pain if there's damage to the cartilage within the shoulder joint. If your shoulder is dislocated or there are fractures in the collarbone, you will feel a throbbing pain. To manage these symptoms, a healthcare provider could prescribe anti-inflammatory medication. They also may perform surgery to replace or repair the shoulder to control soreness and restore normal function.

Limited Movement

If you find it hard to lift your arm above your head or to the side, there could be a problem with your muscles, tendons, or joints. You may have a serious shoulder injury if you find it difficult to rotate your arm in or out. When your rotator cuff is damaged, your shoulder becomes stiff, making it difficult to complete everyday tasks like dressing or reaching for objects.

If you hear clicking sounds when attempting to move the shoulder, it could suggest joint issues. To visualize the shoulder structures and diagnose specific injuries, a healthcare expert uses imaging tests like MRI. After diagnosis, they might suggest physical therapy to help you become more flexible.

Constant Numbness or Tingling

Neural damage may be the cause of numbness or tingling in the arm or hand following a shoulder injury. Some shoulder injuries can compress nerves, making you experience tingling sensations from your arms to your fingers. When you're injured, blood may not reach certain parts of your body, causing numbness. To manage these symptoms, a doctor administers corticosteroid Injections to the affected nerves. Medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin may be prescribed to help manage nerve-related tingling and other forms of discomfort.

Serious Swelling and Bruising

Due to trauma or severe injury, fluid builds up in tissues around the shoulder joint, resulting in swelling. When tiny blood vessels are broken, blood seeps into the surrounding tissues, resulting in discoloration and bruises. Swelling may occur as a result of upper arm fractures when your body heals from the trauma. During a physical exam, a healthcare provider checks your shoulder for swelling and bruising. To help reduce the swelling, a specialist applies ice packs for several minutes at a time. Another way to manage the inflammation is by using an elastic bandage or compression wrap around your shoulder.

Get Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

Severe pain, swelling, and tingling are some common signs that your shoulder injury is serious and requires treatment. Depending on the symptoms you have, a doctor recommends various treatment options, such as ice therapy, injections, and physical therapy. To manage the discomfort that comes with a shoulder injury, book an appointment today to see a specialist.