Our Services / Shoulder Pain

What causes shoulder pain?

There are many conditions that cause shoulder pain. You can develop discomfort in this complex and flexible joint from an acute injury, overuse, or age-related degeneration of the joint.

Common causes of shoulder pain include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness because of the wearing away of the cartilage that separates the bones in the shoulder joint. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of shoulder pain. 

Bursitis 

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae sacs, which are fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning between the bones and tissue of a joint. Bursitis is an overuse injury.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder joint that attach the muscles to the bones. You can have acute tendonitis from an overuse injury or chronic tendonitis from age-related wear and tear. 

Tendon tears

Tendon tears may occur from an acute injury or age-related degeneration of the tissue. You can have a partial or complete tendon tear. 

Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability is when the ball joint in the shoulder dislocates from the socket joint. That forceful movement stretches the ligaments that hold the bones in place, increasing your risk of recurring dislocations.

What happens during a shoulder pain evaluation?

Restore Joints & Spine conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with concerns about shoulder pain. Your orthopaedic surgeon asks detailed questions about your shoulder pain, including the location and severity of your discomfort, and movements that make it worse. They review your medical history and daily routine and examine your shoulder joint, assessing movement and flexibility. 

Restore Joints & Spine may recommend imaging studies of your shoulder joint to confirm a diagnosis and determine the severity of joint damage. 

What types of treatments improve shoulder pain?

Treatment for your shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause. Your skilled orthopaedic surgeon at Restore Joints & Spine may initially recommend medical interventions to ease your discomfort. 

The types of treatments that may improve shoulder pain include:

• Activity modification
• Icing and heat
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Joint injections

If medical treatments fail to ease shoulder pain, Restore Joints & Spine may recommend surgery to evaluate the shoulder and repair the damage. The goal of any shoulder procedure is to preserve as much of your natural joint as possible. 

If you have severe shoulder damage from arthritis or an injury, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement. 

To get relief from shoulder pain, call Restore Joints & Spine or schedule an appointment online today.