As the warm spring weather returns, outdoor activities and exercise are on the rise. However, shoulder pain complaints are also spiking as many jump into intense workouts while their joints and tendons remain stiff from winter inactivity. A significant problem is the common tendency to dismiss this pain as simple muscle soreness or to assume that "working through the tightness" will resolve the issue.
The Risk of "Pushing Through" the Pain
Take the case of Mr. A (54), who resumed playing golf this spring. Despite persistent shoulder pain, he avoided the hospital, believing more exercise would "work it out." When the pain failed to improve after a month, he finally sought medical help, only to be diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear that required surgery.
Nam Shin-woo, head of the Joint Center at Suwon Nanuri Hospital, emphasized that the leading causes of springtime shoulder pain are frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and rotator cuff tears. “Because the symptoms of these two conditions are similar, they are easily confused,” Director Nam noted. “However, an accurate diagnosis is essential because the underlying causes and treatments differ fundamentally.”
Frozen Shoulder vs. Rotator Cuff Tear
While the symptoms may feel similar to the patient, the clinical realities are quite different:
Frozen Shoulder: This occurs when inflammation develops in the joint capsule, causing it to thicken and stiffen. Arm movement gradually becomes more difficult, the range of motion decreases significantly, and the pain intensifies over time.
Rotator Cuff Tear: This involves damage to the major tendons that move the shoulder. It often causes sharp pain when lifting the arm or reaching backward, though the joint’s range of motion may remain relatively preserved compared to a frozen shoulder.
Matching Treatment to the Cause
Director Nam explained that most cases of frozen shoulder can be managed with conservative methods, such as gentle, gradual stretching combined with medication, physical therapy, and injection therapy.
In contrast, for patients with a rotator cuff tear, continuing to exercise through the pain can enlarge the injury. If the right treatment window is missed, a condition that might have been managed non-surgically can progress to the point where surgery becomes unavoidable.
The Two-Week Rule for Shoulder Health
Early evaluation is the key to avoiding long-term joint stiffness or worsening tears. Most shoulder conditions show significant improvement when addressed early with non-surgical approaches.
“If shoulder pain persists for more than two weeks, or if you find it difficult to lift your arm, you should be evaluated by a specialist,” Director Nam advised. “When exercising in the spring, always start with light stretching. If you feel pain, avoid overexertion. Protecting your shoulder health through adequate rest is just as important as the exercise itself.”
