As the weather warms and we find ourselves outside gardening, completing projects around the house or engaging once again with some of our favorite hobbies, many of us experience new aches and pains that weren’t there before.
At first, it may begin as a little nag during certain activities or exercises, and you think it will take care of itself as it has in the past. A couple of weeks pass, and it is still bothering you, so you decide to take a break to give it some rest. Another month goes by, and not only is it not better, but it is getting worse.
This is a common scenario that gets people thinking, “When should I have this checked out?” Aches and pains are a normal part of everyday life for most of us, but at what point does it signify something more serious?
“A common complaint I see is shoulder pain after a weekend of spring cleaning and long-neglected yardwork,” said Dr. Sean Marx, Columbia Orthopaedic Group surgeon at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri. Muscle soreness after this type of activity can be expected for the first two to three days afterward, especially if it involved a lot of repetitive lifting, pushing and pulling. After a few days, that sort of aching should resolve of its own accord.”
If pain continues beyond that timeframe, Dr. Marx added, it may be related to an overuse-type injury that should improve by avoiding aggravating activities for several weeks. “Pain that lasts beyond that period or wakes you up at night should be evaluated for a more in-depth assessment and to help guide further treatment,” he said. Accompanying stiffness, swelling, weakness, or instability should also be evaluated.
It’s important to listen to your body. In the shoulder, this can include conditions ranging from tendinitis to arthritis to rotator cuff or labrum injuries, Dr. Marx said. “It is essential to have these issues evaluated early to help shorten the road to recovery and prevent certain injuries from getting worse. Injuries that are recognized and addressed early are often more manageable with less invasive treatments.”
Rotator cuff injuries, for example, often begin as pain on the outside part of the arm, especially when reaching away from the body or overhead. When there is weakness associated with that pain, or pain while sleeping, it is often indicative of a more significant injury. “Arthritic pain will often begin as a deep, dull ache that becomes worse with prolonged use and is accompanied by increasing stiffness over time,” he said.
Orthopedic evaluations matter because injuries that are recognized early often have better treatment options that can be addressed in a stepwise manner. “If an injury has been neglected for too long, treatment options may be more limited or less effective,” Dr. Marx said. “The musculoskeletal system represents complex interactions between bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, which need to be evaluated in a systematic fashion to get to the root of pain.”
An orthopedic surgeon, he said, will be able to evaluate each of these components through history-taking, physical examination, and imaging studies, which may include X-rays and MRIs depending on the nature of the injury. An accurate diagnosis is the most important first step to recovery. To the surprise of many patients seeing an orthopedic surgeon, surgery is often not recommended, especially when an injury is addressed early.
While an injury may not turn out to be serious or require major surgery, even small injuries can significantly affect enjoyment and quality of life. Active adults and recreational athletes experiencing symptoms beyond a few weeks should consider evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. Those with prior surgeries or a history of family disease should seek care sooner.
Early recognition and prevention of further injury help us all stay engaged, active, and healthy for a longer period. Be proactive with your health, and don’t ignore persistent pain or other red flags such as swelling, weakness, and stiffness. “Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health and longevity,” Dr. Marx said. “so take it seriously and seek care sooner rather than later.”
