Night Shoulder Pain

Andreas Leonidou

Andreas Leonidou

56 Kifisias Ave. & Delfon St.,
 Marousi, 15125

+30 694 5993809
+30 210 6862039

leonidou@doctors.org.uk

  • Symptoms
  • Conservative Treatment
  • Surgical Treatment
  • Cost

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Night shoulder pain is one of the most common symptoms reported by patients suffering from shoulder pain. It causes discomfort and negatively affects the patient’s quality of sleep. Night shoulder pain may be caused by many different factors. Orthopaedic Surgeon Andreas Leonidou explains the most common causes of shoulder pain during the night, as well as the ways to manage and reduce this condition.

Night Shoulder Pain – Causes

Although night shoulder pain may be associated with many different causes, the most common conditions that explain this phenomenon are the following:

  • Shoulder arthritis: is a degenerative condition of the shoulder joint, characterised by severe pain and stiffness.

  • Shoulder tendon tear: is a tear of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, namely the tendons that contribute to shoulder movement.

  • Shoulder tendinitis: is caused by inflammation of the shoulder tendons, resulting in pain on the front or outer surface of the shoulder.

  • Calcific shoulder tendinitis: is caused by the accumulation of calcium salts or crystals on the shoulder tendons.

  • Impingement syndrome: impingement syndrome, also known as shoulder friction syndrome, is caused by irritation of the rotator cuff tendons.

Night Shoulder Pain – Diagnosis

In order to make the appropriate diagnosis and investigate the exact causes of night shoulder pain, the patient should visit a specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon. The stages of diagnosis are:

The first stage of diagnosis is the clinical examination of the patient, specifically assessing the shoulder’s range of motion and identifying the exact causes responsible for night shoulder pain.

Subsequently, further imaging examinations may be required, such as an X-ray or MRI scan. These examinations can show whether there are injuries, arthritis, or calcium deposits in the wider area of the shoulder joint.

Treatment for Night Shoulder Pain

Treatment for night shoulder pain depends to a great extent on the cause and the severity of the patient’s condition. The Orthopaedic Surgeon can advise you regarding the most effective available treatment options.

Treatment for night shoulder pain can be divided into two categories:

Conservative Treatment for Night Shoulder Pain:

Conservative treatment is selected during the early stages, when the patient’s condition is not particularly severe, and includes the following:

  • Physiotherapy: aimed at restoring the range of motion of the shoulder joints

  • Ice therapy: use of cold compresses

  • Administration of painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Limitation of movement (resting the shoulders)

  • Injection therapy with biological therapies

Surgical Treatment for Night Shoulder Pain:

If conservative treatment does not achieve the desired results, or in cases of tendon tears, the patient should definitively address the condition through invasive – surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment for night shoulder pain includes methods such as shoulder arthroscopy and shoulder arthroplasty.

With shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive technique, the injury can be repaired with the least possible discomfort for the patient. The patient remains in the hospital for a maximum of 24 hours.

Shoulder arthroplasty is a surgical procedure applied in advanced cases of arthritis and involves replacing the worn shoulder surface with durable artificial implants.

If you also suffer from night shoulder pain, whether severe or mild, you can contact specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon Andreas Leonidou to receive a comprehensive diagnosis and recommended effective treatment options.

Book your appointment for immediate diagnosis, specialist care, and targeted treatment in just one visit.

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