Shoulder Pain Specialist

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain refers to any swelling, stiffness, or general discomfort that affects your shoulder joint. If you regularly experience shoulder pain, it can prevent you from moving freely and keep you from work, exercise, or other activities you enjoy.

Your shoulders have three bones cushioned by a layer of cartilage. Four tendons – known as the rotator cuff – surround the cartilage, holding your upper arm bone in place. The shoulder’s unique makeup allows for a wide range of motion, but it’s also susceptible to injury. That’s especially true if you work a physically demanding job or play sports like baseball, tennis, or golf.

What causes shoulder pain?

The leading cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis, an overuse injury that causes the tendons –– tissues that connect your muscles to the bone –– to become inflamed.

Other common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Arthritis
• Torn cartilage
• Rotator cuff injury
• Bone spurs
• Frozen shoulder
• Fractures
• Dislocated shoulder
• Spinal cord injury

You might also experience shoulder pain if you work a job that requires frequent lifting or reaching above the head, such as carpentry or painting.

When should I visit a doctor about shoulder pain?

Most shoulder pain resolves on its own and responds to conservative, at-home treatments like ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication. If your symptoms last for more than a week, or they’re associated with a fever or a limited range of motion, contact the team at Bluewater Orthopedics right away.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

The team at Bluewater Orthopedics diagnoses shoulder pain by conducting a physical exam and asking about your symptoms, including their severity, when they started, and if any activities or exercise make them worse. 

During the exam, your provider tests your shoulder’s range of motion and gently presses on it to pinpoint areas of warmth or swelling. Afterward, they order X-rays or an MRI to assess the soft and hard tissues inside your shoulder joint.

How is shoulder pain treated?

Treatment of shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and their effects on your quality of life. After pinpointing the source of your discomfort, the team at Bluewater Orthopedics designs a custom care plan. Depending on your needs, that might include:

• Ice and heat therapy
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Shoulder immobilization
• Activity modifications

If non-invasive treatments don’t provide adequate relief, your provider might recommend surgery. The team at Bluewater Orthopedics offers shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive treatment that allows for smaller incisions, less downtime, and fewer complications.

To learn more about the treatment of shoulder pain, make an appointment at Bluewater Orthopedics by calling the nearest office or by clicking the online booking tool today.