What causes shoulder pain?
In your shoulders, a group of muscles called the rotator cuff holds your arm in the joint and support its full range of motion. These muscles endure a lot of stress from repetitive and frequent movement. As a result, the rotator cuff and its tendons are susceptible to painful injuries.
The conditions that frequently cause shoulder pain include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Shoulder fractures
- Joint dislocation
- Shoulder impingement
- Biceps tendonitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Labral tear
Anyone can develop shoulder pain, but your risk is higher if you engage in overhead activities like pitching, weight lifting, and painting.
What other symptoms accompany shoulder pain?
If you have shoulder pain, chances are you also experience other symptoms such as:
- Arm and/or shoulder weakness
- Difficulty lifting your arm
- Shoulder instability
- Muscle spasms
- Swelling and bruising
- Clicking in the joint
- Limited range of motion
- Loss of shoulder movement
If you have a shoulder fracture, you may notice swelling and bruising.
Does shoulder pain mean I’m at risk for chronic instability?
You’re at risk of developing joint instability when injuries to the shoulder’s ligaments or labrum, which is a thick piece of cartilage around the rim of the shoulder socket, cause your pain.
With prompt treatment, these tissues can heal properly and regain the strength needed to maintain a strong joint. If you ignore shoulder pain and keep using your shoulder, the tissues can’t heal. Then they progressively weaken, and you develop chronic joint instability.
How is shoulder pain treated?
After reviewing your medical history and symptoms and finishing a physical exam, your provider at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine may take X-rays or an MRI to verify the source of your pain.
Then they develop a customized treatment plan that may include any of the following:
- Activity modification
- Shoulder immobilization
- Custom-fitted brace
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- PRP injections
- Steroid injections
- Tenex procedure
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Because your shoulder bears an incredible amount of stress, many injuries may need surgical repair to ensure they regain optimal strength and function.
Your provider may recommend minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for dislocations, fractures, labral tears, rotator cuff tears, and ruptured tendons and ligaments.
When you need experienced care for shoulder pain, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online today.
