Shoulder Problems | Ask an Expert

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

You may feel a sharp pain in your shoulder when performing certain movements such as throwing a ball or lifting a heavy object, or your pain may be a dull ache that continues day and night. It is essential to seek medical care if your pain lasts more than a week despite the home remedies you are trying.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

There are many common causes for shoulder pain, but here are the most prevalent.

• Inflammation of the soft tissues: The muscles, tendons, and ligaments through overuse or injury become inflamed.
• Instability: The head of the upper arm bone can be forced out of the shoulder socket. The bone can be partially out of the socket or completely out of the socket. This can occur if the ligaments and tendons holding your arm bone in place become weakened or torn.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is often a result of overuse of the joint. It is commonly called wear and tear arthritis. Swelling and pain may develop as you get older. The pain can start at a low level, but it will worsen over time in your shoulder joint. What is happening is that the cartilage that allows the bones to slip against each other in natural movement, gradually wears away, lessening the space between the bones. Eventually, the bones rub against each other causing pain.
• Fracture: The bones in your shoulder can be broken due to several causes. You may have suffered a fall or an accident. Perhaps you are older, and osteoporosis has set in, weakening your bones. A fracture is more likely to happen if you are suffering from this disease.

Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Home Remedies

You can take some steps yourself in treating the pain.

• Rest the area from the movement that causes the pain, but gradually start moving again to build muscle strength
• Take over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Use cold and warm packs to reduce the swelling.
• Rubs can be useful to reduce the swelling and the pain.

Medical Treatment

Your well-trained physician at a pain treatment clinic will, first of all, take several steps to diagnose your condition accurately. Be prepared for questions about the medications you are currently taking. His or her suggestions for treatment will begin with non-intrusive measures. If these are ineffective, there are more intrusive treatments to relieve your pain.

Physical Therapy

Your shoulder pain doctor will coordinate with your physiotherapist to develop a program of exercises to increase your muscle strength. The therapist will train you to continue these exercises at home and will provide suggestions to avoid movements which do aggravate your condition.

Prescription Medications

At times pain will prevent you from building your muscle strength. You may not realize it but, the pain restricts your regular movements. There are anti-inflammatory and pain medicines that are more effective than the over the counter type. See your shoulder pain doctor in New York or shoulder pain doctor in New Jersey for achieving relief from pain.

Injections

Injections of steroids or platelet-rich plasma into the area of concern In combination with physical therapy exercises, these can stimulate your body to repair the area. Your shoulder pain doctor in NY or shoulder pain doctor in NJ can explain the benefits of these injections.

Orthopedic Surgery

If non-invasive methods of treatment are not successful in entirely reducing your pain, your orthopedic surgeon may suggest surgery. There are 2 basic types: arthroscopy and open surgery.

Arthroscopy: This is the least invasive type of surgery. The surgeon will insert a pencil-sized device with a lens to inspect the area of concern. Depending on the issue, often repairs can be accomplished at the same time. Usually, this is completed as an outpatient basis.

Open Surgery

Open surgery is often accomplished with only an incision of an inch or two, depending on the complications involved. Your surgeon will review all of the options to meet your needs.

Many surgeons keep updated on techniques as members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is crucial for you to verify that your surgeon at the pain treatment clinic has all of the most sophisticated methods of treatment for your recovery.

Key Concepts

• Shoulder pain can be the result of several different conditions from issues with the soft tissues to problems with the bones in your shoulder.
• Starting with home remedies for shoulder pain is essential. Beginning treatment immediately may stave off a chronic condition.
• Your shoulder pain doctor will recommend least invasive methods of treatment first. Surgery is an option if other methods are not effective.