Which examinations are useful for recurring shoulder pain?
November 29, 2022 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Eva Ziegler
Dear doctor,
My name is Ben Netz and I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing recurring shoulder pain for some time now. These pains occur especially during certain movements, such as lifting heavy objects or raising my arm to the side. The pain varies in intensity, but it is affecting my quality of life and causing me concern.
So far, I have tried to alleviate the pain with rest, heat therapy, and mild painkillers, but without lasting success. Therefore, I would like to know from you which examinations would be advisable in such a case to clarify the cause of my shoulder pain.
I am afraid that it could be a serious injury or condition that could cause long-term damage without a precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Therefore, it is important to me to investigate possible causes early and initiate targeted measures for pain relief and healing.
Could you please recommend which examinations would be appropriate in my case to identify the cause of my recurring shoulder pain? I am willing to take all necessary steps to restore my health and avoid long-term damage.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Ben Netz
Dear Ben Netz,
Thank you for your message and your trust. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from recurring shoulder pain and that it is affecting your quality of life. It is important to identify the cause of this pain in order to initiate targeted measures for pain relief and healing.
Shoulder pain can have various causes, ranging from overuse, muscle tension to injuries or diseases of the shoulder joint. To clarify the exact cause of your symptoms, various examinations are advisable.
First, a clinical examination of your shoulder by an orthopedic specialist would be recommended. This will involve assessing the mobility, strength, and stability of the shoulder, as well as identifying possible dysfunctions or pain points. Subsequently, imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be used to examine the structures in the shoulder area more closely and to make possible injuries, inflammations, or degenerative changes visible.
Furthermore, an electromyographic examination (EMG) can be conducted to assess the function of muscles and nerves in the shoulder area. A blood test may provide clues to inflammatory processes or other conditions that could lead to shoulder pain.
Depending on the findings, specialized functional tests such as the Impingement or Hawkins test may be performed to diagnose specific conditions such as impingement syndrome or tendon irritation.
It is important to carry out all these examinations under expert guidance to obtain a precise diagnosis and initiate an individually tailored therapy. It is good that you are willing to take all necessary measures to restore your health.
I recommend that you schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist soon to investigate the cause of your shoulder pain. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better targeted measures for pain relief and healing can be initiated.
I wish you all the best and hope that you will soon receive a precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment to relieve your symptoms.
Best regards,
Eva Ziegler
