Introduction to biomechanics


Shouldering the Pain

If you have ever woken up at night withmay be suffering from a degenerative
a painful shoulder, you're not alone.condition which is affecting a small
It's a very common complaint in the overjoint located between the collarbone and
50s, and could be hiding a more seriousshoulder blade. Again, the majority of
problem, but one that could be dealtpatients can be helped with a course of
with quickly and simply.Hydrocortisone injections.
Things that go bump in the nightPatience is an unnecessary virtue -
It's a strange occurrence that shoulderSymptom 3
pain is generally much worse at night.Truly agonising pain and progressive
People often think that it's simply tostiffness in the shoulder are symptoms
do with the fact that at night, theof a 'frozen shoulder'. Extremely
brain doesn't have anything else topainful, the condition progresses in
concentrate on. However, although notthree stages. The first 6-8 months is
yet fully understood, there is acharacterised predominately by pain, the
scientific reason that goes some way insecond 6-8 months by pain and stiffness
explaining the phenomena. It's alland the third, by mainly stiffness. Be
related to our body's natural rhythms,warned, this condition does not show up
as our cortisol drops to its lowestby X-ray or by scanning as both of these
level in the early hours of the morning,simply appear normal. The good news is
so the pain increases.that by 18-24 months the condition will
But if you are suffering, what can behave naturally run its course and
done, and what is the probable cause?resolved itself. If you think that you
Dread getting dressed - Symptom 1have a frozen shoulder and do not want
Sufferers who have a combination ofto wait, you may be able to benefit from
steady pain when the shoulder is at resta manipulation of the shoulder under
and more intense pain when the arm isanaesthetic. This should break the
raised to shoulder height, for example,natural cycle of events and help restore
when reaching for objects from a shelfmovement and reduce the pain.
or even when driving, may be sufferingGrinding to a halt - Symptom 4
from a tendon injury. This is where theGrating in the shoulder, together with
tendons have changed shape, which mayprogressive pain and stiffness, and a
have happened for a number of reasons.restriction of all movements, could be a
Most sufferers of this type of shouldersign of osteoarthritus. This is a
problem can be helped with a series ofcondition that needs to be managed and
three Hydroctorisone injections.is best controlled with analgesics and
However, there is some effort requiredanti-inflammatories. Fortunately, only a
by the patient, as an exercise regimevery few patients with this condition
will help to strengthen up the otherrequire shoulder replacements, and those
muscles in the shoulder to prevent themthat do can be cheered by the fact that
rubbing against the tendon.this generally has excellent results.
Hands Up - Symptom 2So if your stirrings in the night are
Generally, if the type of pain you aredue to a painful shoulder, don't
feeling is localised on the tip of thehesitate. Go and see an orthopaedic
shoulder, with pain most obvious whensurgeon. There's really no need to live
lifting the arm straight upwards, youwith the pain.



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