FROM OUR EXPERTS
My shoulder hurts...is it osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a very common problem. Most people know someone who is dealing with arthritis of at least one joint. Spine, hips, knees, and hands are the most common places for osteoarthritis to cause symptoms. However, any joint can be affected and a common question I hear when a patient presents with shoulder pain is: Do I have arthritis?
First, a bit of anatomy -- the shoulder is composed of two separate joints:
(1) the acromioclavicular joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder bone (2) the glenohumeral joint where the ball of the humerus articulates with the shoulder blade (scapula). Both joints can be affected by osteoarthritis. It is relatively uncommon for osteoarthritis to develop in the glenohumeral joint without a history of trauma or previous injury. We'll discuss that in a minute. First, let's review the acromioclavicular joint.
Causes of Shoulder Pain Besides Arthritis The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile j...
Everyone living with diabetes, whether it be type 1 or type 2, knows that daily exercise is an essential part of maintaining stable blood sugars, as well as strength and flexibility. Comorbidities, such as heart disease, are also held off with a good exercise program. But for many people living with diabetes, exercise can be a challenge because of side effects - neuropathy and frozen joints being the most prevalent problems! So, how do you get started when exercise hurts, or is uncomfortable?
Recently, I added a new service to my personal business called Gyrotonic® exercise, because of my own experience with Gyrotonic® and my torn rotator cuff. I have gotten more range of motion from Gyrotonic® exercise than I have from two rounds of physical therapy!
The Gyrotonic® method mimics the movements found in swimming, yoga, gymnastics and tai chi using machines, which alleviates much of the pressure felt during other forms of exercise. In ot...
"Separation" of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, where the end of the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, is actually a sprain of the ligaments that connect the two bones. "Separation" is an old medical term that has been applied to the widening of the space between the bones. Since this problem involves ligaments, it really should be called a sprain. AC separation is typically an injury of young, active people who fall on the shoulder. Most commonly, it occurs when a person lands on the point of the shoulder, driving the shoulder blade down relative to the clavicle. Patients often tell of being thrown over the handlebars when bicycling, being tackled while playing football, or being upended while skiing. As with sprains , there are degrees of severity. Weight lifters, in particular those who do bench presses, often get AC separation. It can also occur in other situations where lifting occurs, or with injury such as falling on the shoulder. A mild, or first-degree, s...
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