Shoulder Pain in the Middle Aged and Elderly - Mere Attribution to Aging is Not Acceptable

Shoulder pain is a common problem in the young as well as the middle aged and senior patients. While the former has rightfully been attributed mainly to sustained injuries recreationally or at work, the latter has been unjustifiably explained mostly by aging. There has been a skewed emphasis on "sports medicine" and "sports injuries" in the management of joint problem such as that of the shoulder, but the exact therapeutic that modern orthopaedic procedures can offer is not widely known. The precise management of joint problems requires accurate diagnosis with proper investigative procedure and treatment. Arthroscopy is a new type of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedure which utilizes a scope through a small surgical incision to assess the internal and adjacent areas of a particular joint. For those who have access to such orthopaedic service, it is gaining increasing popularity among the patients suffering from various joint problems. More recently, arthroscopic procedure can be performed as a therapeutic procedure in addition to its value in the diagnostic aspect. However, such minimally invasive surgical techniques can only performed by skilled hands with ample surgical experiences. This article discusses on the common causes of shoulder pain in the middle-aged and elderly, and the possible treatment options that can be offered in each condition.

Causes of shoulder pain in the middle-aged and elderly

Shoulder pain is often seen as a 'black box' especially in their middle age patient and older. Less experienced practitioners may order x-rays, find nothing abnormal, as is often the case, and inform the patient that they have mild arthritis due to aging and then prescribe painkillers. The patient often has to accept the 'diagnosis' and bear such pain on and off, which may or may not be relieved (partially) by the painkillers.

The shoulder joint is a complex joint because it is the most mobile joint in the body and yet it must have both unusual strength and precision. The integrity and stability of the shoulder joint is dependent on a complex arrangement of dynamic muscles, tendons and cartilaginous components.