Ignoring pain is a common practice, especially among men or people with a high pain tolerance. While ignoring pain may keep you going for a while, if you have done major damage to your shoulder, you will eventually come to a point where you will not be able to maintain your normal activities. It is best to have shoulder injuries examined and diagnosed quickly because with continued use you could further injure or damage the joint.
Here are some early signs that your shoulder injury isn’t minor, and you need to see a doctor right away.
Constant Dull Deep Ache
If you have a major shoulder injury, such as a torn rotator cuff, you will probably feel a dull, deep ache throughout the day. At first, it may be intermittent based on activity, but it doesn’t take long for the ache to become more constant. If you have acute, deep shoulder pain for longer than about a week, you should see your doctor.
Difficulty Reaching
If you are having difficulty moving the shoulder joint, it is probably severely damaged. Everyday activities will tell you if this is a problem. You’ll have trouble reaching behind your back to brush your hair, putting on or pulling off shirts, or be unable to remove your own bra.
Arm Weakness
If your arm starts feeling weak in addition to the shoulder ache, you need to see a doctor right away. When the arm starts to become weak it is a sign that the shoulder injury is affecting the attached limb, which can cause many complications.
If you are suffering from shoulder pain, contact us today. We can help you determine if you need to be seen right away or if you can use some home care tips until the current crisis is over.