Men, don’t ignore that nagging shoulder pain
Our busy lives give us plenty of excuses to postpone doctor visits and ignore health concerns.
In June, we celebrate the start of summer and Men’s Health Month, and both are good reminders for the guys out there whose nagging shoulder pain might be interfering with everything from their golf swings to getting a good night’s rest.
Research has proven that women are more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventative services than men, according to the Men’s Health Network. The reasons are as diverse as those busy schedules referenced earlier to the (false) assumption that admitting a problem seemingly demonstrates weakness.
I worked with plenty of strong men and athletes when I assisted in providing team physician coverage for collegiate and professional athletes during my residency program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. These were guys whose physical health and strength were vital for everyday performance and their careers. Body aches and pains were a normal part of the job, but they could not ignore the issues that kept getting worse.
That is why a designation such as Men’s Health Month is good for us guys because it heightens the awareness of preventable health programs and encourages early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. It also acts as a good reminder to seek help for whatever issues might be ailing us.
As for that nagging shoulder pain, we at OrthoIllinois specialize in individualized treatments that help restore patients’ range of motion and function. The most frequent shoulder problems we treat are:
- Fractures and dislocations
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Nerve problems of the upper extremities
- Numbness and tingling
- Shoulder trauma, fractures and dislocations
- Sports injuries
- Impingements
Nearly 11.5 million people visited physicians for shoulder symptoms and complaints in 2010, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The academy cited the most common athletic activities that involve excessive, repetitive and overhead motion as swimming, tennis, pitching and weightlifting. Everyday activities such as gardening can also cause shoulder pain.
If you experienced a serious shoulder injury with intense pain, please seek medical attention immediately. If the symptoms persist, call us for an evaluation to determine next steps.
Dr. Izquierdo routinely performs a high volume of total shoulder replacements, reverse total shoulder replacements, arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, as well as arthroscopic shoulder instability and labral repairs. His practice is at OrthoIllinois in Crystal Lake and Huntley.
