SHOULDER SPRAIN

A shoulder sprain occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range. This often happens suddenly, but it can also build up over time.Common causes include: 

A sudden fall can strain or tear the ligaments supporting the shoulder. This is especially common after slips on wet floors or uneven surfaces.

Activities such as badminton, tennis, swimming, or weightlifting place repeated stress on the shoulder. Without proper form, conditioning, or warm-up, the ligaments may become overloaded.

Poor posture, prolonged inactivity, muscle fatigue, or sudden unplanned movements can all increase the risk of ligament injury, even during routine activities.

Shoulder sprains are grouped by how much the ligament has been damaged:

Symptoms of Shoulder Sprain can range from mild discomfort to severe functional limitation. If pain from shoulder sprain persists, you may need to consult a shoulder pain specialist. 

• Pain with movement or at rest:  Pain often worsens when lifting, reaching overhead, or lying on the affected side at night. 
• Swelling and tenderness:  The shoulder may feel sore to touch. Swelling or bruising can appear quickly after injury or develop gradually. 
• Instability or weakness:  In more severe cases, the shoulder may feel loose, making everyday movements feel unreliable or unsafe. 

If your shoulder sprain symptoms are mild or persistent, conservative treatments can help relieve pain and restore function.

• Pharmalogical Treatment: short-term use of pain relief or muscle-relaxing medication may support recovery as part of a broader treatment plan. The goal is to ease pain, restore movement, and reduce the risk of stiffness or frozen shoulder. 

If your shoulder sprain symptoms have been persistent or more severe, minimally invasive treatments can address the real source without the need for open surgery. At Singapore Paincare, we offer precise procedures designed to relieve pain at its origin. 

When shoulder pain feels constant or sharp with movement, nerve blocks help calm the pain at its source. By interrupting pain signals and reducing inflammation, they allow your shoulder to move more comfortably. Nerve blocks are often combined with other treatments, such as medication or physiotherapy, to support smoother recovery and longer-lasting relief.

 Coreflex injections are our proprietary treatment designed to support healing in strained shoulder muscles and ligaments. Delivered along specific treatment pathways, these injections help reduce inflammation in overworked tissues, ease movement-related pain, and create a better environment for the shoulder to recover naturally and steadily.

Generally, surgery may be recommended if your pain is long-lasting (beyond 4-6 weeks) and does not improve with other treatments.

• Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is considered for complete ligament tears that significantly limit essential shoulder movements, particularly for athletes or individuals who rely on full shoulder function for work or sports. It is a minimally invasive key-hole procedure that repairs and treats shoulder joints. It uses a camera to view the affected region, so that a precise reattachment can be made, or the torn ligament can be sutured together. Post recovery takes 2 to 6 months of intensive rehabilitation to help you regain your shoulder movement.

Accidents can happen even when you’re careful, and shoulder sprains are sometimes unavoidable. That said, a few mindful habits can help lower your risk and protect your shoulder comfort over time.

• Warm up and stretch before activity: Gentle warm-up and stretching before exercise or sports helps prepare your shoulder for movement and reduces sudden strain on the ligaments. 
• Seek guidance if your shoulders feel stiff : If you notice ongoing stiffness or limited movement, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. This helps you understand which exercises are safe and suitable for your shoulders. 
• Pace yourself if you’re mostly sedentary: If you don’t exercise regularly, start slowly and build up gradually. Avoid doing too much in a single day—so-called “weekend warrior” activity can overload the shoulder and increase injury risk. 
• Rest early if soreness appears: If your shoulder feels sore after activity, rest and apply ice. Simple pain relief such as paracetamol may help as an early measure while the shoulder settles. 
• Don’t ignore persistent pain: Seek medical assessment if shoulder pain lasts longer than one month, affects lifting or daily function, or causes discomfort when sleeping on the affected side. Early care can prevent longer-term stiffness and movement limitations. 

Taking small steps early can help protect your shoulders—and if pain does persist, timely assessment can make recovery smoother and more predictable. 

A shoulder sprain can start without any obvious injury. Everyday movements—such as reaching out at a car park gantry, stretching across the car seat, or reaching overhead—can be enough to strain the shoulder ligaments.

If left untreated, a shoulder sprain may lead to prolonged pain, stiffness, and reduced movement, and in some cases progress to conditions like frozen shoulder. Shoulder pain that lasts more than one month, affects daily function, or disrupts sleep should be medically assessed. It’s also important to note that pain severity does not always reflect how serious the ligament injury is. Early evaluation supports proper healing and helps prevent long-term shoulder problems.

At Singapore Paincare, our Painostic® method goes beyond treating symptoms. We identify the real source of discomfort and build an individualized, minimally invasive plan—so you can move comfortably and confidently again.